Welcome to the Late Summer 2023 edition of EnviroNews
Welcome EnviroNews readers
In this latest edition of EnviroNews find out more about energy savings tips, environmental and waste-wise events, community engagement opportunities, looking after wildlife and more.
Another year of greenhouse gas emission reductions
We're well on the way to our 2030 target
In 2022/23 Frankston City Council’s greenhouse gas emissions were down by over 7 per cent on the previous year with a total of 8,362 tonnes. This is the fourth consecutive year that Council has successfully reduced its emissions with renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Last year Council installed five rooftop solar power systems, with its largest one to date located at the Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (523 kilowatts). This brings Council’s total rooftop solar to 70 sites with almost 1.4 megawatts of solar capacity. Other energy efficiency improvements across Council have included the bulk street light LED conversion at Sandhurst and Sandarra Estates, and LED lighting upgrades on Council on buildings.
Council has also been purchasing renewable wind power from the Bald Hills Wind Farm in Gippsland to power the Civic Centre, Frankston Arts Centre, Operations Centre, Ebdale Community Hub and Learning Centre and Karingal PLACE Neighbourhood Centre, and GreenPower® for the majority of our street lighting for a number of years. A portion of the reduction is also due to the decarbonisation of the Victorian electricity grid from increased renewable energy being generated and entering the grid.
Photo description: Solar panels on Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre.
Draft Coastal and Marine Management Plan for public consultation
Let us know what you think of the plan on Engage Frankston
Frankston City Council has developed a Draft Coastal and Marine Management Plan. The Draft Plan has been prepared to guide the future management; use and development of the Frankston and Seaford foreshore reserves. To guide Council’s management approach, Frankston City’s coastline is divided into six precincts. The precincts extend from Kackeraboite Creek at the southern border of the municipality to Osprey Lane at the northern border. The Draft Plan outlines a coast-wide vision, objectives and actions as well as precinct-specific actions that merged from the community and stakeholder engagement.
A copy of the Draft Plan can be obtained at the ‘Coastal and Marine Management Plan’ section of the Frankston City Council’s engagement website link below. Submissions on the draft plan can be made to Frankston City Council until 29 February 2024.
Photo description: Arial view of bay coastline with native plants and boardwalk.
Heatsafe Frankston: community event
Join Alison Cooke and Frankston Local for an event on heat safety supported by Sweltering Cities
Now is the time for people living in the Frankston Council area and surrounds to identify and advocate for their needs. What are the impacts caused by extreme heat now and what will the impacts be in the future, on day-to-day living?
Come along and listen to Sweltering Cities and Councillor Claire Harvey. There will be time to share lived stories and priorities that will be collected for action.
Date: Tuesday, February 27
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Location: Frankston Library,
60 Playne Street, Frankston
Photo description: Woman at home with dog sitting on the couch in front of a fan.
Climate Change: Our home - our future community event
A place for community conversation, learning and engagement on the Mornington Peninsula
Worldwide there is significant concern and confusion about climate change. Peninsula Voice invites community members to join them for a free forum, to look at local and global climate change impacts, and explore what we can and must do to protect our future.
Speakers include:
- David Karoly - University of Melbourne Climate Change Scientist and Professor
- Angie Bone - Public Health Physician and Associate Professor of Practice in Planetary Health at Monash University
- Sam Lundberg, Volunteer with Zero Positive and Coexist
- Repower Group
Date: Thursday, February 29
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Peninsula Community Theatre,
91 Wilsons Rd, Mornington, Vic 3931
Photo description: Coastline from above.
Getting off gas event
Join Frankston City Council and Green Moves for a free educational event about transitioning your home off gas
Health benefits of switching from fossil gas to electric appliances in the home include cutting indoor air pollution and helping to reduce childhood illnesses such as respiratory asthma.
This free two hour session will cover:
- Gas appliances in the home, what to replace them with, estimated costs (and rebates). Including electric alternatives for heating, hot water, cooking, pool heating, BBQ’s etc.
- Transition planning – what you need to know
- Gas disconnections
We will also have a demonstration induction stove cooktop for viewing, which will be on offer for borrowing at the Libraries in the coming weeks.
Date: Thursday 28 March 2024
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Frankston Library - the Long Room
60 Playne St, Frankston
Photo description: Person at home frying vegetables with an electric stove.
Register for FREE Plants this Schools Tree Day - Friday the 26th of July
Register for this year's Schools Tree Day - Friday the 26th of July
Join us for a tree planting day to enhance your natural environment for enhanced biodiversity, outdoor learning and more nature play!
Frankston City Council is offering FREE indigenous plants, 50 free plants for schools and 25 for preschools in the municipality to plant on Schools Tree Day. Indigenous plants provide habitat, food and shade for local wildlife. They also provide a beautiful environment for our young people to learn how to care for, protect and restore an environment local to them.
When you register for FREE plants there is an additional option to apply to become one of two Environmental Ambassador Schools. The two Environmental Ambassador Schools for 2024 will receive 300 plants each, onsite education and assistance with planting on the day. Registrations are now open and close at 5pm on the 31st of May 2024.
Photo description: Student planting on Schools Tree Day 2023 at Woodleigh School (Minimbah Campus).
Book into our School Holiday Ranger Program
Register for this year's School Holiday Ranger Program
Come join us during our School Holiday Ranger Programs for 2024 in one of Frankston City’s natural reserves. Learn more about our native flora and fauna and the value of biodiversity conservation. Our autumn program ‘Seaford wetland wonders’ is on Wednesday the 3rd of April 2024.
There are three sessions run in a day for up to 7-year-olds (with an adult) at 10am, 8–12-year-olds at 11:30 am (with an adult) and 13–18-year-olds at 1pm. All sessions are 1 hour. Spaces are limited to 15 participants per session and must be booked in advance.
Photo description: Tia from the Gould League sharing treasures from ‘caring for ours coast’ program at Frankston Foreshore during the summer holidays.
Virtual fencing
Installing virtual fencing helps to protect wildlife from road collisions
During February we've been busy installing a virtual fencing system along Robinsons Road and McClelland Drive to reduce collisions with wildlife.
This impressive technology is activated by approaching headlights, which emits sound and lights to create a virtual fence to alert animals.
This trial aims to enhance road safety and protect Black Wallabies crossing to and from the nearby flora and fauna reserve and improve safety for road users.
The proven success of this technology in reducing wildlife collisions, locally and across Australia, brings a positive change for both residents and our unique wildlife. It’s a win-win for wildlife and motorists!
If you find a sick or injured animal You can call Wildlife Victoria emergency response line on (03) 8400 7300 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or use this link to report online. To learn more about the technology, visit the link below or phone 1300 322 322 and ask for the Environmental Policy and Planning team.
Photo description: Roadside wildlife fence.
Donation bins
Donate textiles and other items in the Frankston Library
For the month of May and in conjunction with Southside Festival, you can drop your goods off in the large donation bins that will be located in the Frankston Library forecourt.
By placing your goods in these bins, your clothing and other items will be reused, recycled and upcycled, therefore diverting more from landfill.
All those items that cannot be sent to Op Shops due to stains or holes, can go into these bins, where they can be turned into something else. There are some things that cannot be donated, so please read the list, and make sure everything is clean and dry please.
Photo description: Textiles donation bin in Frankston Library.
Energy Savvy Upgrades (ESU) report
Discounted Scorecard assessments and electrification support
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, the Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio, released key learnings report from the Energy Savvy Upgrades program.
This program demonstrated best practice in reaching vulnerable households, while reducing upgrade and program management costs.
ESU supported 792 Victorian homes whose householders were struggling to pay their energy bills. Following a Scorecard assessment, householders were offered a part-subsidised home energy upgrade package. Each upgrade package recommended by the Scorecard Assessor was specific to the individual home and household needs. This meant that poor upgrade choices were avoided.
Photo description: elderly couple on the couch paying an energy bill.
Good for You - Good for Wildlife
A workshop full of practical, sustainable ideas and actions you can take to support local wildlife
Come along, meet and mingle with friendly wildlife rescue and care volunteers and learn about the following:
- How indigenous plants support wildlife, about ‘no mow’ lawns and much more
- Reduce secondary poisoning of species like Tawny Frogmouths and Blue Tongue Lizards
- Create ‘green walls’ and micro-climates for people and wildlife
- Grow some local native ‘bush tucker’ plants
Enjoy delicious finger food incorporating native plant ingredients and free tube stock plants for your garden, including bush tucker foods and examples of lawn replacement plants.
Date: Sunday, 24th March
Time: From 10am for a 10.30am start
Location: AWARE Headquarters in Carrum Downs
Cost: $10 with proceeds going to AWARE Wildlife Rescue
Photo description: Australian wood ducks in a local lake.
Leon Costermans (OAM)
Congratulations are in order
Congratulations to Leon Costermans who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for his ongoing service to conservation and the environment. Leon has been volunteering in the local community for over 35 years, he is a current and founding member of the Frankston Environmental Friends Network as well as an expert advisor in their Biodiversity Action Group.
He is the founder and coordinator of Parks Victoria’s Friends of Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve since 1988, handing over the reins at the end of last year. A professional botanist, geologist and author, his most recent book ‘Stories beneath our feet, Exploring the Geology and Landscapes of Victoria and Surrounds’ was published in 2022 in collaboration with geologist Fons VandenBerg, it took over 16 years to write. Well done, Leon, the honour is well deserved.
Photo: Leon holding his most recent book ‘Stories beneath our feet: Exploring the Geology and Landscapes of Victoria and Surrounds’.
Photo description: Leon in a suit in front of Frankston City Council backdrop
Seaford's Eco-mural
Come visit the new eco-mural at Down’s Community Farm in Seaford
A new eco-mural painted on the back of the old Farm shed by internationally known and respected Street Artist Jimmy Dvate is now in place for all the community to enjoy!
The mural features two very important migratory birds Latham’s Snipe which travels over 9000 kms from Japan and the Sharp Tailed Sandpiper, which can travel up to 17,000 kms from Siberia to the Ramsar listed Seaford Wetlands. The three other birds are the Australasian (purple) Swamphen, the Golden-headed Cisticola, and the Black-shouldered Kite.
This 19 meter long mural project is the result of a very successful collaboration between Down’s Community Farm, Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Inc, Jimmy Dvate and Frankston City Council.
Both groups welcome new volunteers. Find out how you can connect with Downs Community Farm to grow a healthier and more sustainable community together: https://www.downscommunityfarm.org/ For bird lovers, support the conservation work of the Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands: https://www.edithvale-seaford-wetlands.org/
Photo description: New eco-mural at the Down’s Community Farm in Seaford
Engage Frankston
We want to hear from you!
Council has a dedicated website for engaging with the Frankston City community on important local issues and matters.
Many projects and plans will be of interest and relevance to EnviroNews readers. You can learn more about Council's proposed projects and plans, provide your feedback, share your ideas and priorities, plus sign up to receive updates.
Let us know what you think of current projects such as Coastal and Marine Management Plan or join Mini Frankston City.
Seaford » Frankston » Langwarrin » Karingal » Skye » Frankston South » Frankston North » Carrum Downs » Langwarrin South » Sandhurst
Frankston City Council acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong People, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters.
Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, formally recognising that we need to work together to meet the lower target of the Paris Agreement, which is to keep global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably below 1.5 degrees Celsius. We are committed to working with our community to collectively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and prepare and adapt to the impacts of climate change.