Give the gift of giving this festive season

Frankston City’s Giving Tree program is back again, accepting donations of non-perishable food items and new toys

All donations help Frankston Life Community Inc. and Community Support Frankston support local families doing it tough.

Be like five-year-old local resident Benny, who chose a toy to donate bringing joy to a deserving child in need.

“I love getting presents at Christmas time. But I also love getting presents for other people. Even if I don't know them.”

You can take your donations to Frankston City Libraries in Frankston, Carrum Downs and Seaford until Friday 19 December.

Bookings are now open for an Australian-first accessible beach experience at the Frankston foreshore!

During the three-month pilot program, Frankston beach will be transformed into an accessible, one-of-a-kind space, featuring:

• 70 meters of beach matting
• bookable shaded daybeds
• free beach wheelchairs and beach walkers
• wheelchair transfer hoist

Running Thursdays to Saturdays, 10.30am–2.30pm, between the Frankston Pier and Kananook Creek.

Services will not be available on Christmas Day and 5-7 February 2026 during the Waterfront Festival. Booking slots are open two weeks in advance.

Frankston City Council worked with Accessible Beaches Australia to bring the pilot to Frankston, with the support of the Frankston Social Inclusion Action Group, local businesses, community organisations and volunteers.

Our incredible community has raised more than $220,000 for the Australia’s Most Accessible Beach pilot and other causes across Frankston City and secured a further $20,000 in funding for the Frankston Charitable Fund, a charitable fund account of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. 

Council boosts safety with CCTV expansion and Rapid Response upgrade

Residents and visitors will feel safer than ever before in Frankston thanks to our upcoming investments in public safety measures.

A $1.5 million grant courtesy of the Federal Government and Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea will allow us to install additional CCTV cameras throughout our City’s hotspots.

A fairer kindergarten system for families

We have listened to community feedback and are taking action to improve the kindergarten registration process. 

At the August Council Meeting, we received a petition with 468 signatures calling for enhancements to the current system, including continuity of programs at the same location, expanded sibling priority, and multiple preference options. In response, Council endorsed a review through the Municipal Early Years Plan (MEYP), which included a comprehensive survey of families registering for three- and four-year-old kindergarten programs in 2025 and 2026. 

New Langwarrin play space

We've opened a new play space at Athol Reserve (corner of Athol Court and Warrandyte Road) Langwarrin, just in time for summer.

New features include: 

• swing set (with a basket swing) 
• combination play unit 
• rockers for the little ones 
• picnic setting and bench seating 
• a sealed connecting path 
• fresh landscaping with garden beds and trees 

This project is part of our Play Strategy 2021, and was shaped by your feedback. 

Visit the Engage Frankston website to stay  up to date on play spaces open for community feedback

Reach out to your neighbours these holidays

The festive season can be a whirlwind of work events, school concerts, shopping and last-minute catch-ups — but not for everyone For some, this time of year can feel more lonely than festive.

There are lots of ways to be a good Neighbour Every Day — and you don’t need to venture far from your own street to do it. Is there someone nearby who might appreciate a friendly chat, a helping hand or a simple act of kindness?

It could be as easy as dropping off a small plate of food inviting someone over for a cuppa or offering to help with a task on their to-do list

This coming March the Neighbours Every Day campaign will celebrate exactly that — the everyday ways we can connect and belong, right where we live

$137 million in private investment approved

Council recently approved three major multi-use developments transforming Frankston’s Nepean Highway

Together these projects will deliver:

• 312 new apartments
• 388 secure parking spaces
• Retail, hospitality & office spaces

This momentum is backed by an impressive trend. Recently, Council has approved five major development projects worth $231 million — signalling strong investor appetites and a growing local demand for diverse housing options, business development and lifestyle amenities.

All of this coincides with the $60 million Nepean Boulevard Revitalisation, transforming the highway into a greener, safer, more people-focused connection between the city centre and the waterfront.

New step to reduce vacant shops and boost business growth

We will take another next step in driving local economic renewal, proposing a consultation take place in a new differential rate on long-term vacant retail properties to reduce chronic vacancies and encourage active redevelopment across key commercial precincts.

The proposed measure will form part of our Rating and Revenue Plan and reinforces Council’s commitment to improving activation, encouraging investment and reducing long-term vacancies in key commercial precincts, particularly in strategic nodes of the city centre and along the Nepean Highway where some of the city’s most persistent land banking has occurred.

New standard in collaboration and modern city-building

We have unveiled a suite of landmark initiatives designed to strengthen collaboration, unlock investment and deliver practical outcomes for the community — setting a new benchmark for modern local government leadership.

Council expands Local Support Package with second funding round

We recently announced a fresh round of community resilience funding as part of our Local Support Package. 

Ten charitable and non-for-profit organisations received a total of $57,000 to support vital emergency relief, referral services and community strengthening initiatives. 

Council to fast-track housing growth and affordability

From February next year, qualifying major development proposals will benefit from a guaranteed 16-week Priority Fasttrack Program, while from July 2026 eligible first-home buyers will receive a $1,000 subsidy — making Frankston City the first council in Victoria to deliver direct financial support to first-time purchasers.

Successful international delegation strengthens Council’s global ties

Cr Kris Bolam JP has returned from a multi-country international goodwill delegation that strengthened long-standing Sister and Friendship City relationships across Japan, China, Fiji, and the United States – delivering new cultural, economic and community benefits for Frankston City.

The stage is set, Frankston! 

The curtain has lifted on the new Frankston Arts Centre forecourt! What’s new at the Davey Street entrance (as informed by community feedback): 

• universal access: smoother pathways and ramps for prams and wheelchairs 

• safer traffic flow: separate zones for cars and pedestrians, plus a relocated bus stop 

• enhanced lighting: warm, inviting atmosphere for evening visitors 

• extra seating and shelter: more comfort, rain or shine

• cultural water feature: created with Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, honouring First People and their connection to waterways

The Frankston Arts Centre is one of the city’s biggest drawcards, attracting on average 160,000+ visitors each year (195,000 last year, including 40,000 students!) — almost half from outside Frankston City, boosting our local economy. 

Celebrating our incredible local entrepreneurs 

Frankston Arts Centre was glowing last month, as the Frankston Business Collective Annual Business Excellence Awards Gala celebrated excellence in our local business community.

A huge congratulations to the Frankston Business Chamber for hosting the event, which shines a light on the innovation, resilience and leadership that continue to drive economic growth across our city.

Business of the Year went to Netfocus IT. Congratulations to Jason & Elizabeth McDonald (pictured) and to all award winners and finalists across each category. Your commitment, creativity and contribution help strengthen our local economy and make Frankston an incredible place to live, work and invest.

Witternberg Reserve is about to be more accessible than ever!  

Work is now under way on eight indented parking spaces along Witternberg Avenue to complement the boardwalk and shared user path connecting to Peninsula Link Trail (finished in 2024). 

So, whether you arrive by foot, bike or car, you’re covered and free to relax and enjoy the spacious play space and BBQ area upgraded in 2022.  

The latest works are expected to be completed by Christmas and include one accessible parking space. 

We’ll also be planting more native trees at the reserve after summer to allow them to properly establish. This is to offset some trees that need to be removed from the nature strip to allow the works to proceed and to support our urban forest. 

These upgrades are all part of the reserve master plan which was informed by community feedback.

New entrepreneur program kicks off

Our new Frankston City Entrepreneur Program 2025–2026 launched on 4 December with 14 participants enrolled in the program — designed to help locals turn great ideas into thriving businesses.

Whether they are developing a concept, preparing to launch, or have started within the past year, this program offers tailored training, expert mentoring, and the chance to pitch a business idea to an expert panel. Successful participants may also be eligible for a grant of $10,000 at the end of the program to help start or grow their venture.

The program will finish 29 March 2026 with an awards ceremony held in April. We look forward to working with our entrepreneurs in the new year!

Major $60 million boost to reshape Frankston’s Nepean Highway

Frankston City Council has taken a major step toward the revitalisation of Nepean Highway, committing a $10 million Council co-investment towards the Federal Government’s $50 million election commitment - bringing the total investment in the project to $60 million.

This transformational initiative shifts Nepean Highway from a through-corridor into a safe, people-focused boulevard that strengthens the connections between the city centre, the waterfront and key destinations. It realises long-held aspiration shared by Council, local residents, traders and government partners.

Frankston City declared 'Tidy Town of the Year'

Frankston City has just been crowned winner of Keep Australia Beautiful VIC's 'Tidy City of the Year' Award!⁠

We also received the Environment Award for the Frankston City ‘Growing Our Urban Forest’ initiative which has planted over 60,000 trees in just three years and now supports residents in planting their own.⁠

Now in their 42nd year, the Keep Australia Beautiful Awards recognise the best and brightest projects across Victoria that contribute to a sustainable, resilient and beautiful town or city. So, we’re pretty proud!⁠

Thank you to a local champion

Congratulations to Cristina Savanjika, who was honoured recently with a Councillor Appreciation Award for her outstanding leadership in delivering the Empowering Women Community Event.

Cristina brought together over 40 incredible women-led businesses from Carrum Downs and the surrounding areas for a vibrant community market filled with connection, creativity and community spirit — all personally organised and funded by Cristina, ensuring every small business could participate free of charge.

Cristina is now exploring plans to turn this successful market into a permanent local fixture, creating even more opportunities for small businesses to shine. Thank you, Cristina, for championing local talent and energising our community.

Know someone who deserves a Councillor Appreciation Award? Nominate them today!

Boost for local economy: Small Business Grant recipients announced

Frankston City Council has announced the successful recipients of the 2025–2026 Small Business Grants Program, with 22 local businesses awarded a record total of $200,000.

From a creative party hub and a new café experience to sustainable concrete products and specialty food manufacturing, this year’s grants will support a diverse range of exciting projects designed to boost business and employment in Frankston City.

Community Connectors win GOLD!

We’re proud to share the Community Connectors program has received a Gold Award at the 2025 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards.

Since launching in Frankston in November 2024, Community Connectors has:

• supported 2,375 people across our station and shopping precincts
• made 247 referrals to vital support services, including housing, mental health and family support
• contributed to a 44 per cent decrease in disorderly behaviour
• safely de-escalated 186 physical and verbal confrontations
• prevented 568 instances of mental and physical harm, including fights, overdoses and self-harm
• created more inclusive, welcoming and community-minded public spaces.

With recent expansions into Station Street Mall and Shannon Mall, Community Connectors have become a trusted and valued presence and its great seeing the program receive the recognition it deserves.

A huge thank you to our partners for making the program possible — South East Community Links, Metro Trains Melbourne, Vicinity Centres and Victoria Police Together, we’re building a stronger, safer and more connected Frankston.

Investing in summer safety

Frankston City is gearing up for its safest summer yet, with Council investing thousands to step up beach and water safety, support local lifesaving and beach patrol groups and prepare our coastline for the future.

Frankston City attracts around 1.2 million visitors each year, with many beachgoers flocking to our pristine foreshore to relax and unwind. 

Councillors nominated for state honour

Congratulations to Deputy Mayor Steffie Conroy and Councillor Emily Green on being named nominees at the inaugural Mary Rogers Awards Ceremony.

These awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of women in local government and honour the legacy of Mary Rogers, Victoria’s first woman councillor elected in 1920. Steffie and Emily’s nominations recognise their leadership, service to the community and commitment to strengthening gender equality in local government.

Acknowledging decades of community service

Cr Emily Green recently presented David Cross with a Letter Under Seal, acknowledging 15 years as Chairperson of the Frankston Environmental Friends Network and his service to the community through his time as a member and President of the Rotary Club of Frankston and as President of the Frankston High School, School Council from 2012–2022.

He also founded Friends of Wallace Reserve in 2005 and has been coordinating Schools Tree Day activities at Frankston Heights Primary for the past 20 years! Thank you David for your service to our community.

Our amazing volunteers

The Volunteering Frankston Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of local volunteers who dedicate their time, skills and passion to supporting the Frankston City community. Congratulations and thank you to all the nominees and winners and everyone who volunteers in our community.

The winners are:

Service: Len May (Mornington Railway Preservation Society Inc.)

Leadership: Aaron McKaskill (Mums Supporting Families in Need)

Environmental and Animal Welfare: Johan de Bree (Frankston Beach Association)

Youth Community: Olivia Cooper (Fresh Amplify - FCC)

Senior Community: Terry Mackay (Community Support Frankston)

Teamwork: 3198 Seaford Beach Patrol, Commendation: Frankston L2P Driver Program Mentors (FCC)

Community Organisation: AWARE Wildlife Rescue

Youth Community: Ray Wills – (Chatty Café, Frankston North Community Centre)

Follow Volunteering Frankston for volunteer news and updates all year round.