The history of sustainability in Frankston City was given a boost in March 2004 when renowned scientist, Dr David Suzuki, came to Frankston City for a major seminar initiated by Frankston City Council. At his only public appearance in Melbourne, Dr Suzuki spoke to an 800-strong audience of residents, businesspeople and politicians on Sustainability: Are we making progress?

In 2005, Frankston City Council developed a Sustainability Policy and Framework to ensure that the way we govern Frankston City aims to secure a sustainable future. This Sustainability Policy and Framework outlines the key principles and objectives which underpin Council's approach to sustainability.

What does 'sustainability' mean?

In its broadest sense, sustainability is defined as:

'Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'.   (Source: World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future Report, 1987)

In pursuing sustainable outcomes, Council has developed a series of key principles that form the foundation of sustainability here at Council.

Council's aim is to:

Make informed decisions that lead to a better quality of life¹ for current and future generations, by:

1. Valuing and protecting the natural systems upon which all life depends and taking due care to avoid serious or irreversible environmental harm.
2. Supporting and nurturing the wellbeing of all people of current and future generations.
3. Promoting and guiding local business development leading to meaningful employment and broader community benefits.
4. Recognising, building upon and preserving the unique characteristics (natural and cultural assets) of our City.
5. Making decisions with regard to the long-term view, not merely the short-term view.
6. Demonstrating leadership, accountability and transparency in our decision-making.
7. Recognising that each of us has a responsibility for promoting awareness, understanding and pursuing a sustainable way of life.

¹ Council defines 'quality of life' as the level of enjoyment and fulfilment derived by the community from the life they live within their local cultural, economic, environmental and social conditions.

Why should Council consider sustainability?

There are many benefits from pursuing a sustainability agenda in all our planning, decision-making and reporting activities. Some of the benefits include:

• Planning for the long-term (i.e., 20 year horizon) - helping to manage change more effectively, identifying future challenges and ensuring an enhanced capacity to meet community needs, now and in the future.
• Making better decisions - seeking to achieve positive integrated economic, social and environmental outcomes (e.g. cost savings, benefits to the community, reduced dependence on limited environmental resources).
• Meaningful community participation - leading to increased community engagement, connectedness and capacity to achieve common aims.
• A healthy, resilient and long lasting community - ultimately, sustainability is about focusing on what is important to our community, and the factors that contribute to our wellbeing and quality of life. If we effectively consider all of the points above, we should be well on our way to securing a sustainable future for all.

What is Council currently doing to achieve sustainable outcomes?

There are a wide range of Council policies, strategies, plans, activities and services that aim to secure sustainable outcomes for our community. Many of these initiatives seek to address the seven principles of sustainability as outlined above.

In addition, Council's Sustainability Framework outlines a number of key initiatives that the organisation will concentrate on over the next few years. The early stage of our framework has involved the following elements:

• Researching various approaches to sustainability
• Gaining Council and management commitment
• Developing a budget and roles for staff
• Developing an inventory of existing Council policies, strategies, plans, activities and services
• Holding staff sustainability workshops
• Drafting a Sustainability Policy and Framework
• Undertaking a community wide visioning initiative (known as 'Frankston 2025')

Click here to link to the Frankston 2025 Community Visioning Web site.

In 2007/08, Council is also planning to prepare a report on the current state of the city, incorporating a range of long-term economic, social and environmental indicators to inform Council and community decision-making.

For more information

Please contact Council's Sustainability Project Consultant on 9784 1067.