Raise your voice on climate change
Published on 20 July 2022
Frankston City Council invites residents, businesses and community members to have their say on climate change action to help shape a new strategy.
In 2020, Council conducted a Climate Change Community Survey in which 80% of the community respondents said they were ‘extremely’ or ‘very concerned’ about the impacts of climate change.
Concerns included loss of biodiversity, vegetation and habitat, sea level rise and coastal erosion, harsher and longer fire seasons and bushfires, extreme weather events, and more hot days and heatwave or drought.
In response, Council committed to developing a Climate Change Strategy for the next 5–10 years. The aim is to identify the risks, opportunities, and priorities for Frankston City to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change for the benefit of the community, environment and economy.
South Ward Cr Claire Harvey said talking to as many people as possible about climate change was a major step in taking meaningful grassroots action now and into the future.
“Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our world, and at a local level it’s no different,” Cr Harvey said.
Mayor Nathan Conroy said Council wants to hear from everyone.
“Whether you’re keen to reduce energy costs or climate-proof your business, or passionate about creating a better world – your say is important to us,” Mayor Conroy said.
Council declared a climate emergency in November 2019 and is committed to delivering projects and planning for a future with reduced emissions and a thriving environment in Frankston City.
Some of Council’s recent actions
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Reduced Council’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020–2021 by 34% compared to 2019–2020.
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Reduced operational emissions by investing in energy efficiency and solar power, upgrading street lights to LEDs, as well as purchasing 100% renewable energy through GreenPower® for residential street lights and 5 major community buildings.
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Planting commitment of 80,000 trees by 2024.
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Adopted a Biodiversity Action Plan 2021–2036 supporting ecosystems, bio-links and healthy waterways.
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Innovative trial of pedal-assisted e-bikes across Frankston City with Neuron Mobility.
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Working with South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) identifying optimal sites for public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the region and supporting businesses to implement energy efficiency upgrades.
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Partnership led by Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation with SECCCA member councils and Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab examining the potential of marine ecosystem protection and restoration to contribute to local and national achievement of net zero carbon emissions.
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Introduced Environmental Upgrade Finance in June 2021 enabling local businesses to access low interest loans to implement environmentally efficient upgrades addressing climate change and reducing energy and water costs.
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Supporting green literacy among younger residents with 239 local primary and secondary school students participating in Council-funded environmental education sessions in 2020–2021.