Biological Diversity Policy Statement

Frankston City Council recognises the high value of its natural heritage and the contribution indigenous plants and animals make to urban amenity, lifestyle, sense of place, and protection of soil and water. Council has applied planning controls, incentives and education programs to protect areas and/or species of biological significance. Council's aim is to arrest and reverse the decline of Frankston's biological diversity.

Vegetation Study

Vegetation has many important values, including protection of land and water quality, biological diversity, landscape amenity and habitat for wildlife.The Frankston Vegetation Study involved the development of an inventory of vegetation remnants on public and private land within the municipality, with details of their condition and significance. This information was used to develop provisions in the new Frankston Planning Scheme to protect vegetation.

Frankston City Council is part of the Gippsland Plains Bioregion. The City consists of 14 Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC's) which have regional, state and national status.

Frankston City Council encourages the planting of local indigenous vegetation. The Mornington Peninsula Local Plants Guide provides a range of local indigenous plants that may be suitable for your area. To order a hard copy of the Plant Guide, or to find your nearest local nursery who can provide local plant species, please contactCouncil's Coastal and Vegetation Officer on 9784 1882 or e-mail environment@frankston.vic.gov.au

Roadside Management

The conservation values of Frankston's rural roadsides have been assessed and mapped as part of an innovative regional project involving a variety of key management authorities. The Mornington Peninsula-Western Port Roadside Management Plan includes detailed biological information and management guidelines.

Frankston Environmental Friends Network

Frankston is lucky to have a strong, supportive network of Friends groups in a number of our natural reserves across the municipality.  These groups include:

• Action Sweetwater Creek (Ph: Ole, 9783 9259)
• AWARE Wildlife Rescue (Ph: Michelle, 0409 360 871)
• Baden Powell Park Project (Ph: Ann, 9787 7228)
• Frankston Beach Association (Ph: Kathleen, 9783 1391)
• Friends of Boggy Creek (Ph: Roz, 0417 307 441)
• Friends of George Pentland Botanic Gardens (Ph: Mark, 9768 1641)
• Friends of Upper Sweetwater Creek (Ph: Peter, 9783 9124)
• Friends of Belvedere Bushland Reserve (Ph: Kerry, 9784 1768)
• Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands (Ph: Barry, 9786 6687)
• Friends of Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve (Ph: Leon, 9783 5015)
• Friends of Seaford Foreshore (Ph: Glenn, 9773 5555)
• Kananook Creek Association (Ph: Olwen, 9789 0598)
• Friends of the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve (Ph: Gillian, 9782 5116)
• Friends of Wallace Reserve (Ph: David, 9789 5664)

Meeting regularly, our Friends groups provide a fantastic way for residents to help their local environment, while also meeting new people, getting fit, being outdoors, and generally having a fantastic time!

All of our groups welcome new members and assistance on the ground.  Please feel free to contact your local group for more information, or contact Frankston City's Environmental Volunteer Coordinator on 1300 322 322.

Land for Wildlife 

Land for Wildlife is a State Government (Department of Sustainability and Environment) program, supporting and encouraging landholders or managers to provide habitat for wildlife. Frankston City has 64 registered properties, this includes three of our Natural Bushland Reserves.

For information on Frankston City's Parks, Gardens and Natural Reserves, contact the Environment Section on 9784 1888 or e-mail environment@frankston.vic.gov.au

For more information, please contact Council's Coastal and Vegetation Officer on 9784 1882 or e-mail environment@frankston.vic.gov.au

Did You Know?

• A large proportion of Frankston, including the central activities district, was once part of the Carrum Carrum Swamp.
• Landholders are responsible for controlling most noxious weeds on their property and adjacent roadsides.
• Twenty five percent of plant species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1998 as rare or endangered occur on our roadsides.
• In most areas you require a planning permit to remove, destroy or lop vegetation.
• It is estimated that there are 12 foxes living in each square kilometre of urban areas.
• About 40 per cent of the significant vegetation remaining in Frankston is on public land.

Good News

• There are 64 registered Land and Wildlife properties in Frankston City (this includes three Natural Bushland Reserves).
• Over 2000 Frankston residents are members of a Friends Group.
• Over 80,000 free booklets on pest plants and local plants have been distributed in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region.  Have you got a copy?
• Significant vegetation remnants occupy about 15 per cent of the municipality.
• The city supports 18 plant and animal species of state and national significance, and many more of regional significance.
• 583 indigenous plant species and 13 vegetation communities still survive in the municipality.
• Swamp Wallabies, Koalas and Bandicoots still live in Frankston City.

Do you want more information?

This is a brief summary of Frankston City Council's flora and fauna and biodiversity initiatives.

For more information contact the Council's Environment Section on 9784 1888 or e-mail environment@frankston.vic.gov.au.

Other Links

For more information on flora and fauna and biodiversity visit one of the following web sites:

• Victorian Flora and Fauna Database:   www.viridans.com.au
• Central Coastal Board:   www.ccb.vic.gov.au
• Department of Sustainability and Environment:   www.dse.vic.gov.au
• Environment Australia:   www.ea.gov.au
• Greening Australia:   http://live.greeningaustralia.org.au/ga/vic/
• Parks Victoria:   www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

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