Shining a light on Frankston City – in all the right ways
Published on 04 October 2021
A comprehensive plan for lighting in public places to improve safety, create ambience and increase sustainability in the municipality has been adopted by Frankston City Council.
Councillors voted unanimously at a recent Council Meeting to adopt the Lighting Frankston Plan which provides guidance for the look, feel and functionality of lighting in public places over the next 10 to 15 years.
The Plan acknowledges that good lighting can enhance our experience of public places but bad lighting can overwhelm a space, make it unpleasant to be in and impact on the environment in multiple ways.
North East Ward Councillor David Asker said the Lighting Frankston Plan will help Council to choose lighting that revitalises community enjoyment of the built and natural environments in Frankston City, and build its reputation as the lifestyle capital of Victoria.
Cr Asker said: “In urban areas, for example, lighting can encourage active recreation, commuting choices and entertaining experiences, so in determining what is appropriate, Council will look at functionality and sustainability, but we might also consider lighting that is welcoming and atmospheric.
“In those natural areas we want to enjoy outside of daylight hours, this Plan commits us to being mindful of things like the potential impact on plants and animals and how their habits and behaviours might change with particular lighting.
“Ultimately, the right choice of public lighting will enable us to do more at night – whether that’s staying safe and active or taking part in a festival, or balancing moonlight, artificial light and darkness so we can enjoy natural environments and views while protecting flora and fauna,” Cr Asker said.
Two rounds of public consultation informed the Plan – revealing particular community support for lighting the foreshore and boardwalk area, walking areas through parks and adjacent to sporting grounds and to creating safe pedestrian connections between night-time venues.
Parks and reserves identified in the Plan where lighting could enhance active recreation include:
- Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve
- Sandfield Reserve, Carrum Downs
- Belvedere Reserve, Seaford
- Pat Rollo Reserve, Eric Bell Reserve and Monterey Reserve, Frankston North
- Overport Park, Frankston South
- Lloyd Park, Langwarrin
- Wingham Park, Ballam Park, Jubilee Park, Robinsons Park, Beauty Park, Frankston
South Ward Councillor Liam Hughes said COVID-19 restrictions limiting travel had highlighted how important it is to improve access to good local environments.
“What the community consultations showed us was that people want to be more active outside of daylight and work hours – they want to be safe and enjoy the amazing natural assets that we have in Frankston City for longer.
“For example, the majority of respondents said they would visit the Frankston waterfront and foreshore area more in the evening if better lighting was provided,” Cr Hughes said.
Places identified for lighting consideration in the Plan include:
- Waterfront promenade area, Frankston
- Oliver’s Hill lookout
- Boardwalks and walkways
- Frankston Yacht Club
- Frankston Pier
With the exception of public infrastructure like buildings, car parks, walkways and piers, lighting of beach areas, dunes and the bay is discouraged by the Plan to protect the environment. Where appropriate, consultation with relevant experts such as ecologists is recommended.
The Plan does not include standard infrastructure lighting such as street lights. In August, Council completed the replacement of all fluorescent street lights with LED bulbs that are expected to last up to 20 years and reduce carbon emissions in line with Council’s Towards Zero Emissions Plan 2019 – 2023.