Frankston City Council is replacing 7000 fluorescent streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs in a move it says will reduce emissions by as much as removing 110 cars from the road each year. The LEDs are up to 53 per cent more efficient than the lights they are replacing, and Cr Claire Harvey said this was another step towards achieving the council’s target of net zero 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,” Cr Harvey said. “Climate change is a ‘hot topic’ for Frankston City residents. 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.”

Cr Harvey said one example of this was the council’s recent partnership with Replas, Frankston Sand and Soil and SR Engineering to install a concrete footpath in Seaford using recycled soft plastic collected through the REDcycle program at supermarkets. The council is also installing two large-scale solar power systems at PARC and the Frankston Civic Centre, and is assessing several new recycled water schemes that have the potential to improve the city’s water security.

“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 from the survey will be presented at the council’s Monday meeting and will inform its climate emergency response, including the review and update of the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Plan and actions to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions.