Frankston City Council has adopted its $304.82 million 2025/26 Stronger Together Annual Budget, which it says focuses on supporting long-term growth, delivering vital infrastructure and helping residents to navigate ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
Unanimously endorsed by Councillors at this week’s meeting, the Budget is underpinned by the Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre Structure Plan and driven by key public and private sector investment such as the Federal Government’s $50 million investment in Nepean Highway and major housing developments.
Mayor, Kris Bolam said Council overhauled its budget process by kicking off community consultation earlier than ever, engaged directly with over 350 sporting clubs, community groups, businesses and residents and reviewed over 53 formal submissions to ensure local voices helped shape the final Budget.
“This is a budget for everyone – delivering real support where it’s needed most, while investing in the people, places and services that make Frankston City a great place to live. That’s what makes us Stronger Together,” said Mayor Bolam.
Demonstrating Council’s commitment to sound financial sustainability alongside ongoing investment in community, Councillors worked together to identify more than $3.6 million in operational efficiencies, cost reductions and savings through reduced future loan borrowings
– all without cutting services or infrastructure upgrades the community relies on.
This work enabled Councillors to create a unique $1.7 million Local Support Package within the Budget that delivers targeted relief and support for our community by easing cost-of-living pressures, backing local businesses, improving community safety and investing in essential services and infrastructure.
Other initiatives include:
- $125,000 towards an Australian-first three-month pilot initiative in partnership with Accessible Beaches Australia (inspired by a model in Nice, France) that will deliver enhanced opportunities for people with mobility-related disabilities to experience Frankston’s Foreshore.
- $18,000 for an additional 9,000 trees to schools to boost the existing 3,000 trees in the current school planting program and 1,400 trees available for residents from Council’s nursery via vouchers for ratepayers. Plus $10,000 for updating of Council’s tree register to identify
significant tree. - $30,000 for the 60th Anniversary celebration of Frankston being declared a City.
- $50,000 support for Peninsula Community Legal Centre to deliver a school lawyer program to support students overcome the barriers in accessing legal services, improve understanding of their rights and responsibilities.
- Increase in destination events budget of $80,000 to $310,000, which will help establish even more exciting opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy.
- A return of the $35,000 Mayor’s Annual Event funding, which is dedicated to relief funding in 2025-26.
- $40,000 to expand the Community Connectors program into Station Street to provide support to traders and community members, bringing the total funding commitment to $240,000.
- Enhanced marketing activity concentrating on digital platforms to advertise Frankston City.
The Council is also investing $72.9 million in new and upgraded community infrastructure and facilities through its 2025/26 Capital Works Program. This includes the landmark $60 million redevelopment of Frankston Stadium for basketball and gymnastics – Council’s largest infrastructure project to date – which was approved for construction earlier this year, with works set to commence in the coming months.
To support the Federal Government’s $50 million Nepean Highway investment, funding has also been allocated in Councils Budget for a dedicated Project Officer, subject to negotiations with State and Federal Government’s, to help ensure works are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standard.
Mayor Bolam said the 2025/26 Budget was squarely about uplifting Frankston City, easing household costs, strengthening public safety, and investing in projects that drive the city toward a stronger future.
“We’ve trimmed the fat, not the muscle, to find savings without sacrificing the community services our residents count on, or the public works that keep Frankston City moving forward,” said Mayor Bolam.
“Frankston City is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and we’re dedicated to sustaining that progress. Our goal is to propel the city forward while ensuring no resident is left behind. This Stronger Together budget embodies our commitment.”
He said the “financially sensible approach” has enabled Council to deliver the lowest residential and commercial rate increases in Frankston City since 2023 and 2022 respectively.
The Budget also introduces a new differential rate to support growth in the heart of Frankston’s city centre. Vacant land in the Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre and along Nepean Highway will now attract a higher rate (three times the general rate) designed to discourage land banking and encourage development.
While general rates will rise by 3% (in line with the State Government cap), the new rate means Council is able to limit the average increase for residential and commercial ratepayers to 2.24% and 1.12% respectively.
Other bonuses with this year’s rate notice include a discount voucher program, offering reduced-price tickets/entry to the Frankston Arts Centre and PARC and Pines Pool, plus a discount for an on-call hard waste collection. A free Indigenous tree sapling from the Frankston Indigenous Nursery will also be on offer. Residents will receive these vouchers and further details with their Rates Notices later in the year.
Deputy Mayor, Steffie Conroy said Council was committed to making sure the Budget delivered for everyone.
“We’ve listened to our community and delivered a budget that supports residents now, while also investing in the infrastructure and services needed for our city’s future,” she said.
The Budget is available to be viewed at: https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Council/Frankston-priorities-and-strategies/Council-Plan-
and-Budget.
