Our journey
What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
Frankston City Council (Council) declared a climate emergency in November 2019 and is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.
In 2019, Council adopted its Towards Zero Emissions Plan (2019-2023), which outlines a range of actions to reduce Council emissions and support the community’s transition to a low carbon future. Council has adopted a target to reach carbon neutrality by 2025 for all of its organisational emissions.
Since 2000, Council has installed 600 kilowatts of solar power on 60 Council facilities. These systems are expected to save around 780 megawatt hours of electricity per year and reduce emissions by over 870 tonnes. Projects are also underway to install two large-scale solar power systems at the Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) and the Frankston Civic Centre.
Other energy efficiency projects consist of lighting upgrades across a number of Council facilities, in addition to replacing 7,000 street lights on residential roads with LEDs.
Council has also entered into a 10 year Power Purchase Agreement, where five major Council facilities are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy from the Bald Hills Wind Farm.
From 1 January 2021, street lights throughout the Frankston municipality that Council pays the electricity for are now 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 3,275 tonnes each year.
What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
Besides several projects to increase building energy efficiency, renewable energy usage and street lighting efficiency, Council is turning its focus towards community emissions and finding effective ways to enable our community to reduce their impact and support sustainable living.
Key areas include investigating ways to increase the uptake of electric vehicles and sustainable transport use, reducing the carbon footprint of buildings, supporting community waste reduction initiatives, as well as improving the urban forest for greening and cooling.
As an active member of the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA), Council also works collaboratively with nearby councils to support community emission reduction initiatives, both locally and across the region.
In 2020, Council received over 760 responses to its Climate Change Community Survey. The survey findings will inform Council’s future climate actions, climate emergency response and the development of a new Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.
What council hopes to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership
Council looks forward to connecting and collaborating with other councils across Australia to progress climate action and develop solutions. The knowledge and resources shared will inform Council’s climate emergency response, including initiatives to help the organisation become carbon neutral by 2025.