Cities for Climate Protection^TM
Building Retrofits
Green Power
Vehicle Fleet
Green Fleet
Tree Planting
Eco-Buy Program
GreenPlumbers^TM Program
What Can I Do?
Other Links

Frankston City Council is committed to reducing the consumption of non-renewable resources, and encouraging and promoting the use of sustainable alternatives.

Frankston Citys Greenhouse Strategy was prepared in 1999 to address local governments role in creating and sustaining local solutions to greenhouse problems. "Think Global, Act Local" is a motto that suits greenhouse action - climate change is a global issue that requires a local response.

The Greenhouse Strategy provides a strategic approach to greenhouse gas reduction and focuses on both community and corporate (Council) measures. Frankston City's Greenhouse Strategy is currently under review.

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

Frankston City Council joined the InternationalCities for Climate Protection (CCP) Program in 1997. 

The CCP^TM Program is an innovative program that helps local government and their communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the environment.There are currently 172 CCP^TM councils, representing 69 per cent of Australia's population.

Cities for Climate Protection Australiais delivered by theInternational Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) in collaboration with the Australian Greenhouse Office. 

Participation in this important program will help the whole community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy and begin the change to sustainable energy sources. Council's formal commitment to this program includes auditing energy consumption city-wide and developing a plan of action. Areas targeted for action include energy consumption by residential, commercial and industrial sectors, as well as transportation and the generation of waste.

Frankston City Council has committed to the completion of five milestones, providing a strategic framework for Council to address the issue of global warming.

1. Conduct an emissions inventory of both Council (corporate) and community activities and prepare a forecast of emissions growth in the future.
2. Set an emission reduction goal for both corporate and community emissions.
3. Develop and adopt a local greenhouse action plan.
4. Implement the local action plan.
5. Monitor and report on the implementation of the local action plan.

Council completed Milestone Five in June 2002. The completion of Milestone Five has provided a valuable indicator of how the Council is progressing towards the reduction goal set at Milestone Two, and the prioritised implementation of actions set in the local greenhouse action plan.

Energy use is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Energy in the form of gas and electricity is used for functions such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting andhot water systems as well as office equipment in Council buildings.

Council has undertaken Energy Audits at its key facilities, and has been actively implementing the 'energy saving' recommendations since 1999. 

Energy efficiency measures have been implemented for the Frankston Arts Centre, Civic Centre and Langwarrin Community Centre. Renewable energy technologies have also been employed at the Frankston Arts Centre, Cube 37 and the Langwarrin Community Centre. The following links detail some of these initiatives:

• Arts Centre Case Study   (Acrobat PDF file - 390 KB)
• Renewable energy Projects   (Acrobat PDF file - 120 KB)

Streetlighting is Council's top greenhouse gas contributor forFrankston City. Each year streetlighting produces an estimated 7,210 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

In 2001, Frankston City Council signed a three-year contract with CitiPower, negotiating a better rate for electricity costs and committing 10 per cent of the electricity used to power streetlighting from Green Power. Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by an estimated 721 tonnes per year as a result of this initiative.

Green Power is a government initiative offering a more environmentally sustainable source of energy to residents and businesses. Electricity is generated from clean, renewable resources such as solar, wind, biomass, wave and hydro power. If you choose a government accredited Green Power product, your energy supplier agrees that the equivalent amount of energy you nominate is produced from renewable sources, avoiding the use of coal-derived power.

Green Power is a national accreditation program that sets stringent environmental and reporting standards for renewable energy products offered by electricity suppliers to households and businesses acrossAustralia.

Residents and local businesses who are interested in Green Power can contact their electricity supplier or visit the national Green Power web site at www.greenpower.com.au

Vehicle management influences Council's corporate greenhouse gas emissions. The actions undertakenby Frankston City Council in the vehicle fleet sector consist of fuel conversions from petrol to dedicated LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) or dual fuel(petrol/LPG) vehicles, trial of a hybrid electric vehicle and a move towards more fuel efficient vehicles.

The hybrid electric vehicle was purchased by Council in August 2002 and uses 50 per cent less fuel and produces 80 per cent less emissions than similar sized vehicles in city driving.

Councils fleet workshop is also working towards operating in an ecologically sustainable manner, for example, all waste oil, tyres and oil filters are collected by companies who recycle the waste, rather than disposing of it in landfill.

In July 2003, Frankston City Council received an 'Energy Efficiency Best Practice Program Certificate - Vehicle Fleets' from the Australasian Fleet Managers Associationin recognition of Council's efforts in fleet management.

Frankston City Council has subscribed its entire vehicle fleet to Greenfleet - a program that offsets carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles through the planting of trees. Each year, approximately 2,720 indigenous trees are planted in theFrankston Cityas a result of this initiative, to soak up the carbon dioxide emissions from Councils vehicle fleet.

The trees provide some well-needed habitat for our local flora and fauna, improve air quality, as well as talking issues of salinity and erosion.

To subscribe your vehicle to Greenfleet, please contact them on (03) 5664 0172. 

Frankston City Council actively promotes tree planting and the preservation of existing trees as a method for greenhouse gas absorption through carbon sinks.

Each year, Councils tree planting program results in the planting of an estimated 6,000 trees throughout the City's parks and gardens and streetscape reserves. Though the greenhouse gas fixing (sequestration) available through this program is difficult to quantify, tree planting is still important as a greenhouse gas reduction activity as there are a range of additional benefits that result from revegetation programs.

Frankston City Council is a member of ECO-Buy,Victoria's local government green purchasing program.The program works with Victorian Councils to increase their purchasing of recycled, greenhouse friendly and environmentally preferred products.

In most cases, recycled products use less energy and water to produce than products derived from virgin material, and result in less greenhouse gas emissions. 

Frankston City Council has purchased recycled products for office stationery, road construction, parks and gardens, and waste management services.

GreenPlumbers^TM is an innovative program developed by the Master Plumbers' and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, supported in partnership with local government. A series of workshops have been designed to enhance plumbers' skills and knowledge about the environmental considerations of their work. The first series of workshops were held in Frankston City Council in 2001 and continue in 2003.

These training opportunities place plumbers in a better position to advise and inform consumers on topics such as; the benefits of energy efficiency, water conservation, solar hot water or the most appropriate and cost effective appliances to suit individual needs. The program has the potential to deliver real benefits to the environment with long-term reductions in water usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

To locate a Green Plumber for your plumbing needs, contact the Master Plumbers on (03) 9329 9622 or visit their web site at  www.greenplumbers.com.au

The following items have information about Home Energy Guides and the Greenhouse Calculator:

• The Energy Savings At Home   (Acrobat PDF file - 257 KB)  has details about how you can save energy at home.
• TheHome Energy guide   (Acrobat PDF file - 327 KB)  is a tool that allows you to identify easy practical actions to achieve a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the home. Its step by step approach will assist in identifying energy efficient measures that will save you energy and help reduce the cost of your energy bills. (Please note that the document is designed for on screen viewing).
• The Greenhouse Calculator is an interactive application developed by the Victorian EPA that allows you to estimate the volume of greenhouse gases your house and lifestyle emit. The calculator allows you to compare your emissions to a green household and identify areas for improvement. This will help you understand what actions you can take, now and in the future, to reduce your emissions. 

Energy Saving Tips

The  Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria is a Victorian Government agency that provides a focus for sustainable energy inVictoria. The Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria provides independent and practical advice to assist consumers, industry, schools, business and other government agencies to use energy more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy and help reduce greenhouse gases. Contact them on 1300 363 744.

Solar Hot Water Rebate for all Victorians

Considering purchasing a new hot water system, replacing the old with the new? The Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria is currently offering rebates of up to $1,500 as a point-of-sale discount for accredited solar hot water systems. Residences as well as community facilities are eligible for the rebate and are encouraged to apply. 

Save up to 75 per cent on hot water bills and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by up to four tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

The rebate is only available on solar hot water systems that meet certain performance standards and are accredited by the Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria. Contact them on 1300 363 744.

For more information on greenhouse gas reduction and energy saving initiatives visit one of the following web sites: 

• Australian Greenhouse Office: www.greenhouse.gov.au
• Victorian Government: www.greenhouse.vic.gov.au
• Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria: www.seav.vic.gov.au
• Department of Environment and Water Resources: http://www.environment.gov.au/
• Alternative Technology Association: www.ata.org.au
• Green Power: www.greenpower.com.au
• Greenfleet: www.greenfleet.com.au
• GreenPlumbers Program: www.greenplumbers.com.au
• International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives: www.iclei.org/anz

Did You Know?

• Australia produces more waste per head of population than any other country in the world except theUnited States.
• Australians are the second highest users, per head, of fossil fuel energy in the world.
• In just one year, humans consume the same amount of coal, oil and gas it took nature over one million years to produce.

Good News

• In 2000/01 Frankston City Councils greenhouse gas reduction measures contributed to a four per cent reduction in the total corporate emissions from a business as usual prediction. 
• Installing a solar hot water unit can reduce your hot water bill by 75 per cent.
• Rebates are currently available for the installation of solar hot water and solar power systems. Contact the Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria for more information on 1300 363 744.
• By July 2005, all new Victorian homes will achieve a five-star energy rating and include a solar hot water system or rainwater tank.

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

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