Climate change a ‘hot topic’ for Frankston City residents

Published on 03 December 2020

Frankston City Council is replacing 7000 fluorescent street lights with energy efficient LEDs starting this week, further cementing its commitment to tackling climate change.

The LEDs will reduce emissions by as much as removing 110 cars from the road each year and are up to 53 per cent more efficient than the lights they are replacing.

South Ward Councillor Claire Harvey said the Council was proud to be taking this step to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and as it progressed toward a target of zero net emissions by 2025.

“The project is expected to save Council over $2.6 million over the life of the light fittings and this will allow us to put more resources into other community services – giving more value for money for ratepayers.

“Climate change is a ‘hot topic’ for Frankston City residents. Council is committed to sustainability and protecting our precious environment.

“Our City is taking enormous strides to a cleaner and greener future. Locals and visitors love our beaches, bushland, parks and reserves – hence our complete dedication to their protection and enhancement.

“Council has already made great gains on climate action over many years, but we can’t stop here. There’s so much more to do and we’ll take bold and innovative steps to lead the way wherever and whenever possible.”

Cr Harvey said one example of this was the Council’s recently announced, ground breaking partnership with Replas together with Frankston Sand and Soil and SR Engineering to install a concrete footpath using recycled soft plastic collected through the REDcycle program at Coles and Woolworths.

“This footpath on Seaford Rd, Seaford, is the first council constructed project in Australia using Polyrok – a sustainable alternative to mineral aggregate in concrete for pathways, kerbs and channels that find a home for the most problematic waste stream, soft plastic.

“This underscores our commitment to innovation and thinking ‘outside the square’, as well as going above and beyond to create a more sustainable and greener future for our children and the generations to follow.”

Cr Harvey said other examples included Frankston City Council’s:

• Pledge to support the Cities Power Partnership – joining 125 other Local Government areas across Australia taking meaningful action on climate change.
• Reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2.1 per cent (334 tonnes) in 2019-20, lessening its contribution to climate change and progressing towards its zero net emissions (carbon neutral) target by 2025. This was achieved by reducing energy usage in Council facilities in part through energy efficiency and rooftop solar.
• Reduction of its main water usage by 19.4 per cent, saving 37 million litres of water (enough to fill 14 Olympic-size swimming pools); and
• Move to ensure five major Council facilities are now being powered by 100 per cent percent renewable energy from the Bald Hills Wind Farm as part of a 10 year Power Purchase Agreement.

Cr Harvey added: “But we’re not stopping there. From 1 January 2021, street lights throughout the Frankston municipality that Council pays the electricity for will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy through GreenPower™, under a new four year electricity supply contract that is expected to reduce Council's emissions by an estimated 3275 tonnes each year.”

To reduce Council’s emissions and energy and water usage further, projects are also underway to:

• Install two large scale solar power systems at Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) and the Frankston Civic Centre, as well as continuing with lighting upgrades of Council facilities.
• Assess and prioritise several new recycled water schemes that have the potential to improve water security for Frankston City.

Cr Harvey added: “Locals want action – they’ve spoken loud and clear. More than 700 people completed Council’s Climate Change Community Survey – demonstrating how passionate our community is about this critical issue.”

Key findings will be presented to the community and our newly elected councillors at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Monday, 14 December. The survey results will inform Council’s climate emergency response, including the review and update of the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Plan and actions to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions, which are a key contributor to climate change.

To receive the latest updates on Council’s climate emergency response, sign up to EnviroNews, Council’s environment e-newsletter. Visit www.frankston.vic.gov.au or email info@frankston.vic.gov.au