Council powers up its fight against climate change
Published on 11 February 2021
Frankston City Council is charging up its fight against climate change with the backing of the community and the Climate Council.
Council has joined more than 130 of its counterparts in signing on to the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership.
North-West Ward Cr Sue Baker said the partnership would allow the City to be at the forefront when it came to tackling climate change.
“The councils involved represent half of Australia’s residents and this partnership allows us to share knowledge, strategies and access the latest expert advice.
“This includes information on ways to further reduce greenhouse gas pollution, switch to clean energy and build resilient communities.
“These are very important actions in responding to the climate emergency Council declared in November 2019,” Cr Baker said.
Last year’s Climate Change Community Survey aimed to better understand the community’s priorities for responding to the emergency and ways of working together to meet these challenges locally.
Feedback received will contribute to the draft Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, which is due to Council mid-next year.
South Ward Cr Claire Harvey said 80 per cent of survey respondents were ‘extremely concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about climate change.
“Council received 762 responses to the survey, plus over 50 ideas, comments and votes submitted to the Big Ideas Forum, showing a very high level of interest in this issue and that our residents want meaningful action on climate change.
“Having received the survey report, Council is now well placed to draft the Action Plan which will outline how Council will work to address climate change and support individual and community climate action,” Cr Harvey said.
Last April, the former Council wrote to Federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, and Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, advocating that their governments also declare a climate emergency and legislate programs to address it.
Council has moved to implement a series of wide ranging initiatives in response to the challenge of climate change.
Council last month started replacing 7000 fluorescent street lights with energy efficient LEDs, further cementing its commitment to tackling climate change.
Council also recently allocated a further $60,000 – in addition to the $65,000 already committed this financial year – to implement its Urban Forest Action Plan.
The Urban Forest Action Plan is complemented by the Native Vegetation Offset Program at Studio Park, Langwarrin, and Witternberg Reserve, Frankston. The Program aims to ensure offsets for native vegetation removal remain in the Frankston City.
Other examples to create a more sustainable and greener future for our children include Council’s:
- 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.
To receive the latest updates on Council’s climate emergency response, sign up to EnviroNews, Council’s environment e-newsletter. For more information, visit frankston.vic.gov.au/climatechange or email info@frankston.vic.gov.au