COVID-19 Updates

Overview

 COVID Banner

Victoria’s roadmap to Deliver the National Plan sets out how we can safely reopen, while also supporting our health system to ensure Victorians can still get the healthcare they need, when they need it most.

For more information, visit the Victorian Government COVID website


Vaccination 

To get the latest information on the COVID-19 Vaccination, please visit the Victorian Government COVID-19 vaccines webpage.

Vaccination is the best way of protecting yourself, loved ones and your community against COVID-19. Safe and effective vaccines are free for everyone in Australia, including those who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents. 

Linking your vaccination certificate to the Service Victoria app

To access most services and venues as Victoria reopens, you will need to show proof of your vaccination status. You can do this by linking your vaccination certificate with the Service Victoria app, ready for use when you check in.

More information on how to link your certificate, visit the Service Victoria website.

Frankston Community Vaccination Hub - Bayside Centre

Level 1, Balmoral Building, Shannon Mall, Bayside Shopping Centre

Opening hours

Open Saturday to Wednesday, 9.30am-5pm, and Thursday to Friday 11.30am-7pm.

Booking

Bookings and walk ins accepted, including people eligible for a third dose.

Location

Level 1, Balmoral Building, Shannon Mall, Bayside Shopping Centre

Parking is free at the shopping centre. When you enter the carpark, collect an entry pass from the boom gate. Give this entry pass to the concierge to receive an exit pass 

 Book Your Vaccination

Public Facilities and Public Spaces 

Due to the evolving situation surrounding COVID-19 and the announcements by Federal and State Government regarding public health and safety, Council facilities and public spaces are affected. Please see below information for updates. 

Council Facility/Public Space Status Notes
Customer Service Centres Open Limited services only
Frankston City Libraries  Open Proof of vaccination required
Frankston Arts Centre
Open Reopening from 16 November. Please visit the Frankston Arts Centre website for more details.
Frankston Visitor Information Centre
Open Please visit the Frankston Visitor Information Centre page for more details.
Frankston Regional Recycling and Recovery Centre (FRRRC)
Open
The Treasure Chest Resale Shop Open  
Ballam Park Homestead
Closed  
Frankston Indigenous Nursery
Closed Reopening from March 2022. Please see the Frankston Indigenous Nursery page for more details.
Community Centres and Neighbourhood Houses
Open Hire groups only reopening from 8 November, programs resume / reopen from 22 November
Community Halls
Open  
Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Centre (PARC)
Open Subject to capacity levels and proof of vaccination
Frankston Memorial Park
Open Funerals: 50 people outdoors or 20 people indoors (and density limits of 1 person per 4 sqm) if everyone present is fully vaccinated. Please see the Victorian Government, How we live page for more details
Frankston Park
Closed Temporarily closed to the public due to ongoing issues with vagrancy and vandalism at the site. 
Beach & Waterfront
Open In line with State Government restrictions.
Boat Ramps - Olivers Hill & Kananook Creek
Open  
Piers & Jetties
Open  In line with State Government restrictions.
Skate Parks
Open  
Playgrounds
Open

Supported playgroups have reopened (limited venues, double vaccination requires and subject to density quota).

Online playgroups and support will also be available.

Program Delivery Service Resumed Community Transport has resumed (bookings essential, reduced capacity on the bus to ensure social distancing and double vaccination is required).
In-Home Support Service Resumed Escorted shopping for all current clients has resumed.

Busking Permit Application

As part of the changes to protect our community and in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Busking Permits will not be issued until further notice as well as current buskers are not allow to perform as per current government guidelines. Thank you for your understanding.


Council Services

Due to the ongoing situation surrounding COVID-19 and the announcements by Federal and State Government regarding public health and safety, the following Council services may be affected. 

Services Impacted

Aged Services

  • Assessments to access required in home support services by default will be completed via phone. If you require a face-to-face assessment, please discuss with our Assessment Intake Officer at time of booking
  • In home services: Personal Care, Home Care, In Home Respite and Unescorted Shopping services continue to be delivered with adjustments to support both client and staff safety at this time (Escorted Shopping is offered as an unescorted service at this time)
  • Pot Luck Program cancelled until further notice

Kindergartens

For further information reading the opening times, please contact your kindergarten directly. 

 

Playgroups

From Monday 8 November supported playgroups will reopen (limited venues, double vaccination requires and subject to density quota). Online playgroups and support will also be available.

For further details regarding how the coronavirus has impacted your playgroup please contact your local playgroup.

Community Centres

From 8 November, community centres and neighbourhood houses will reopen for hire groups only

From 22 November, community centres and neighbourhood houses will reopen for programs

Please contact your community centre for further details.

For any information about Maternal and Child Health services and immunisation sessions at these centres please contact 9784 1756.

Library Services

All Frankston Libraries will reopen from 5 November (proof of vaccination required).

For more information visit their website

Frankston Regional Recycling and Recovery Centre - FRRRC

From 6pm Friday 29 October the FRRRC will reopen.

From 5 November, the FRRRC Resale shop (Treasure Chest) will reopen. 

More Information

Busking Permit Applications

Busking Permits are available to apply at the Frankston City Council List of Permits page.

Maternal Child Health Service

Council’s Maternal and Child Health services will be operating under guidance from DHHS in line with coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

  • If you have any questions please call 9784 1756 and request to speak to an MCH nurse

If you have an appointment scheduled and are unwell, we ask that you call 9784 1756 to reschedule your appointment.

Please note: First Time Parent Groups and Parent Education Groups will remain online for the remainder of 2021

Services Not Impacted

Immunisation

All sessions are now by appointment only.

Appointments for ALL immunisation sessions must be booked online, via the Council website.

Waste and Recycling

Council's waste and recycling collection service continues, however household bin collection has commenced 30 minutes earlier than usual to allow our service provider to stagger start times of staff in order to exercise social distancing. 

To reduce manual handling of bins, it would be helpful to place your bin for collection in a spot that won’t be blocked by parked cars, such as your driveway and close to the kerbside so the arm of the truck can reach it easily.

Please continue to put your bins out the night before collection. 

Street Sweeping Service

Council's Street Sweeping service is operating as normal. Please check back here for any future updates.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels – continues to be delivered to eligible residents. Please contact our Intake Officer to enquire on 9784 1933


Support and Wellbeing

Council understands that the COVID-19 outbreak may be stressful for people. There are options below on who can help at this time. 

Free RAT tests

Council is offering free RAT tests at the Civic Centre, Frankston South Community Centre, Frankston North Community Centre, Karingal PLACE and Langwarrin Service Centre.

All community members who present to a collection site can receive up to 10 tests (2 kits) for themselves, plus up to 10 tests (2 kits) for each member of their household per visit. Community members requesting tests do not need to verify eligibility and do not need to reside within the municipality. The current testing advice determines the following quantities for priority and high-risk community members (or someone collecting tests on their behalf)

People with disabilities or their carer can receive 20 tests (4 kits) per visit, including:

  • NDIS participants
  • Disability support pensioners
  • People with a disability who receive a Transport Accident Commission benefit.
  • People who are 70 years or older, immunocompromised or have a concession card can also receive 20 tests (4 kits) per visit. 

Community Support Frankston

Community Support Frankston is a not for profit community support agency which provides services including emergency food, grocery vouchers, help with utility bills, referrals and advocacy for people who live, or work in the City of Frankston.

For a comprehensive list of support services available please look into the Community Information and Support Services Directory(PDF, 1MB)

Your Mental Health

Fear and anxiety about a disease can cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about and your community stronger. Below is a list of organisations that can help you and the people you care about. 

Helplines & Emergency Contacts

 


For The Love Of Frankston

To support our community though COVID-19 and beyond Council has allocated various grants and programs for individuals, community groups, businesses and sporting clubs, as part of its $6.434 million Relief and Recovery Package.

Artists

There are a number of grants available to help artists and those working in creative industries to continue to do what they love and to deliver culturally significant work to the community.

View the full grant options available for artists

Business

Council is committed to supporting local businesses and providing important information, resources and opportunities to keep businesses informed, inspired, focused and resilient. 

Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, Council has supported businesses in various ways, working hard to provide innovative incentives and develop recovery programs to support business continuity, including but not limited to:

  • Contactless Thermometers: provided free of charge to eligible businesses, as an extra preventative measure
  • Relief & Recovery Package: A $6.434 million package tailored to help individuals, community groups and business through COVID-19
  • Guides & FAQ Documents: A range of useful resources, links and documents to answer any queries in a quick and efficient way during the pandemic
  • Frankston Food Move: A three month awareness raising movement encouraging local residents to support local hospitality businesses

Business Grants Programs

Council has made a total funding pool of almost $1 million available, to help the community and local businesses continue to thrive during COVID-19 and beyond.

There are a number of grants available specifically to help local businesses grow and thrive in a challenging economy.

View the full grant options for local businesses   

Business Concierge

An essential part of the Invest Frankston Support Program is to provide a central point of contact for all business specific enquiries. By expanding Council's concierge service, Council is now able to guide businesses to external support services and respond to their individual needs during this time. This role is particularly important as businesses are finding it difficult to navigate the many communication channels and information that has recently become available. 

Submit a Business Concierge Enquiry

Privacy Statement

The information that you provide to Frankston City Council and the Business Coach will be treated as commercial-in-confidence.  Your contact information will only be used by Frankston City Council to communicate its business programs.  No information identifying you or your business will be provided to any third party unless required by law. No data identifying a client or their business or details about their business has been, or will be, sold to third parties whatsoever. Before joining the Frankston City Council Small Business Coaching Program, all coaches must sign a strict confidentiality clause.  

Business Mentoring

FREE one-on-one business coaching session with business experts across a variety of disciplines, for Frankton based businesses. For more information see our business mentoring page.

Government support

For the latest COVID-19 guidelines, please visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Australian Government 

The Federal Government has announced a $320 billion economic plan in response to COVID-19. Initiative from the plan include:

  • Boosting cash flow for employers - Up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profits that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000 so they can keep operating.
  • Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses - Temporarily increasing the threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company and the time companies have to respond to statutory demands they receive.
  • Increasing the instant asset write-off - Increasing the threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 and expanding access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million until 30 June 2020.
  • Backing business investment - A time limited 15 month investment incentive to support business investment and economic growth by accelerating depreciation deductions. 
  • Small business wage subsidy - Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent to retain their apprentices and trainees from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. 
  • Support for Coronavirus-affect regions and communities - $1 billion funding pool to assist most impacted regions during the Coronavirus outbreak and in recovery. Additionally, supporting the airline industry by providing relief from a number of taxes and charges.
  • Coronavirus Business Liaison Unit - To engage with business and provide updates to government on crucial issues 
  • JobKeeper payment for employees - A fortnightly $1,500 payment to help businesses significantly impacted by the Coronavirus cover the cost of their employees wages
  • Moratorium on evictions for six months - Rent relief and security if residential and commercial tenants are unable to pay their rent due to the Coronavirus
  • Jobs Hub website - Established the Jobs Hub website to help Australians find work, visit: https://www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/jobs-hub
  • Instant asset write-off threshold increase - From $30,000 to $150,000
  • Investment Incentive - A 15 month investment incentive (through to 20 June 2021), accelerating depreciation deductions
  • SME Guarantee Scheme - Access to working capital to help small and medium businesses, loans of up to $250,000 with initial 6 month repayment holiday, unsecured finance (no requirement to provide an asset as security for loan)
  • Mandatory SME Code of Conduct on commercial leasing - Good faith leasing principles to all commercial leasing tenancies suffering financial stress or hardship as a result of COVID-19

For more information on these Australian Government support programs, please visit: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

Victorian Government

The Victorian Government has established a $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package to support Victorian businesses and workers through the Coronavirus pandemic. Initiatives from the package include:

  • Rent or mortgage support - Private arrangements can be made with your landlord. If you're experiencing difficulties, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria.
  • Payroll Tax Refund - Waiving payroll tax for the 2019-2020 financial year for businesses with annual taxable wages of up to $3 million.
  • Liquor Licence fees waived - Renewable liquor licence fees for 2020 will be waived and businesses that have already paid will be reimbursed.
  • Business Support Fund ($500 million) - A $10,000 grants towards operational costs to help keep hospitality, tourism, accommodation, arts and entertainment and retail businesses which may not be eligible for payroll tax refunds due to their size and to help them survive and keep people in work. Including businesses with a wages bill less than the payroll tax threshold of $600,000 who are participating in the JobKeeper program regardless of what sector they operate in.
  • Working for Victoria Fund ($500 million) - Displaced workers will be eligible to apply for different types of work, assistance towards skills development and facilitating job matching.
  • Land Tax Deferral - Landowners that have at least one non-residential property and total taxable landholdings below $1 million have the option of deferring their 2020 land tax payment until after 31 December 2020.
  • Fast Tracking outstanding supplier invoices - The Victorian Government will pay all outstanding supplier invoices within five business days.
  • Rent relief for commercial tenants in government buildings - For commercial tenants in government buildings.
  • Dispatch and delivery exemption - Planning exemption to allow delivery of food, drink, groceries, medicine, cleaning and personal protection products at all hours.
  • Agriculture Industry Support - Establishment of the Victorian Agriculture Industry Reference Group (phone 13 22 15)
  • WorkCover extension - Provision of six (6) additional months of weekly WorkCover payments for long term injured workers who are due to transition off WorkCover weekly payments

External resources

Below are some helpful links with tips to assist with protecting and preparing your business against COVID-19.

Community

Community and Business Support Grant Program 

Council has made a total funding pool of almost $1 million available, to help the community and local businesses continue to thrive during COVID-19 and beyond.

There are a number of grants targeted towards community groups, to ensure those providing critical support services within Frankston City can continue to do so.

View the full grant options available for not-for-profit and charitable organisations

Council $6.434 million Relief and Recovery Package 

Council is delivering a Relief and Recovery Package as part of our Annual Budget 2020–2021, tailored to help individuals, community groups and business through COVID-19.

Supporting Communities

Many Council services form a critical part of our community: keeping people connected, informed and supported. With many of these services temporarily closed or otherwise impacted, we are providing the funds to ensure continue our tradition of community support.The Relief and Recovery Package includes, but is not limited to:

  • Repurposing and expanding our community grants pool to $500,000
  • $150,000 waiver of tenancy and ground allocation fees for local sporting clubs until at least September
  • $75,000 invested in our customer service channels, to ensure our community can reach us easily any time they need
  • Continuing to support of critical library services, with free online borrowing, an expanded collection of e-resources alongside live streaming of events such as story time and author talks via our social media pages
  • $20,000 for the creation of an arts collective encouraging artists, writers and film makers to create stories, short films and to capture imagery for a community reflection piece
  • A further $50,000 to develop a creative industries and arts grant program
  • Saving our local RSL’s an extra $7,000 by waiving maintenance fees for the next 12 months

Read the Council's Relief and Recovery Package summary.

Read the breakdown of how the package will help individuals, community groups and businesses.

Community Recovery Call Centre

Council launched the call centre referral service in April, to help impacted residents navigate and connect with the services and resources they need to recover from COVID-19. Council staff are here to help, referring residents and businesses to support services suited to their current needs.in 

If you need help finding the right support, phone: 1300 322 322 and ask to be referred to the Community Recovery Call Centre. The centre is open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm.

Community information and support services directory

Frankston City Council has created a directory to assist the community to locate support services which are available during these unprecedented times. 

The directory lists local, state and national agencies and community organisations who offer a range of services including financial and legal assistance, health and wellbeing support, food relief, housing and tenancy assistance and more. Please find the directory under related documents.

New support for Victorian communities to stay connected

The Victorian Government is helping communities to stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic through a new grants program to support local initiatives.

Minister for Suburban Development Shaun Leane and Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes today announced the opening of applications for the Let’s Stay Connected Fund, with grants available for community organisations, local government bodies, incorporated not-for-profits and industry groups.

Grants of between $5,000 and $200,000 are available to support innovative, community-based initiatives that build connection, reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation and that can be implemented quickly – providing much-needed support across the state.

The $1.3 million fund could potentially help community groups continue to operate by adapting the way they deliver programs or events, including through online forums.

Other possibilities include support for communities to improve their digital skills and access online communication channels, or new ways for people to continue volunteering within their communities while maintaining physical distancing requirements. 

Victoria Together offers a vast range of resources, also including children’s activities, live streaming from the Melbourne Zoo, exercise advice and recipes.

Applications for the Let’s Stay Connected Fund are open until 31 August and applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible at djpr.vic.gov.au/lets-stay-connected.

Supporting vulnerable members of our community

During times of crisis or emergency, it is the vulnerable members of our community who are often most impacted, including the elderly and people with disabilities.

Council is asking all members of the Frankston City community to check in on anyone who is living alone, is elderly or who has special needs. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure vulnerable neighbours, friends and family are well taken care of until the immediate threat passes.

Care packages

Victorians in mandatory self-isolation running short on food and unable to have any dropped-off by friends are now eligible for a food and personal care package, with a two weeks' supply of items like long-life milk, pasta, canned fruit, cereal and sugar, as well as some personal care items. People wishing to request a pack should phone Victoria’s dedicated Coronavirus hotline:1800 675 398

Food Donation Bins

Council will be managing several food donation bins across the municipality. The following locations have bins in place:

  • Coles inside the Karingal Village Shopping Centre, 110 Ashley Avenue, Frankston
  • Coles inside the Gateway Shopping Centre - 230 Cranbourne-Frankston Road, Langwarrin
  • Ritchies IGA - 280 Seaford Road, Seaford (corner Seaford Road and Frankston-Dandenong Highway)
  • Coles – 335 Ballarto Road, Carrum Downs 

Community members with the ability to spare any extra packaged long-life food items are encouraged to drop these into the bins. Please keep in mind the current COVID-19 restrictions for physical distancing and only drop packaged long-life food items when attending the shopping centres for the purpose of getting food and essential supplies. Please only donate packaged, long-life food items such as canned food (ring pull preferred) and packets of pasta. Strictly no fresh food, items with a short shelf life or any other non-food items can be left in the donations bins.

Council officers will be regularly collecting the items from the donations bins so they can be passed on to locals in need. 

Finding Healthy Food in Frankston City 

In conjunction with Peninsula Health, Council have compiled a resource to help our communities find healthy food during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can access it here (9MB).

The resource provides local and current information on:

  • Safely shopping for food
  • Alternatives to shopping at supermarkets
  • Online food subscriptions
  • How to grow your own food
  • Community gardens
  • Emergency food relief
  • Donating to charities
  • What to do with excess food
  • Bulk cook-ups
  • Reducing food costs
  • Substitutions for common foods
  • Food handling and safety  

People with disabilities

People with disability face unique challenges during this epidemic. People with Disabilities Australia are updating their website regularly to collate information and resources as well as updates on their work advocating for the needs and rights of people with disability at all levels throughout the crisis.

People with intellectual disabilities, low literacy and people from CALD communities may find the Access Easy English website helpful with explaining COVID-19 and surrounding restrictions.

People can contact the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787 to talk about their concerns in relation to COVID-19. For example, people can call the Helpline if their support worker has not turned up or their provider has stopped services; or if it’s hard to get essential items like food or medications.

Further information and assistance for people with disabilities.

If you require in home support services or community access please contact our Family Health Support Service Intake Officer on 9784 1933 to discuss your needs. 

Council support services

Council’s Community Care Team is working hard to ensure our usual support for vulnerable communities remains unchanged. The team is also adapting and increasing support where required. Community Care staff will be identifying the more vulnerable clients within our service and making phone contact with these clients between services to ensure their wellbeing.

Community Care is currently supporting clients as usual with In Home Services, including:

  • Domestic assistance
  • Personal care (including showers and shopping)
  • Respite care
  • Meals on Wheels

Direct Care staff supporting in the home are being updated to any changes through their Team Leader, to ensure they are informed and able to support their clients.

Volunteers supporting Meals on Wheels have been provided with current information and are supported by informed staff in managing meal delivery, so this critical service continues to support our community ongoing.

We have also provided Direct Care staff and volunteers with links to valuable learning tools to support carers in their role.  All carers and clients are encouraged to call the office if they have any queries regarding In Home Services.  For any significant changes to clients care needs, phone: MyAgedCare 1800 200 422.

Changes to our regular support services

We are accommodating changes to our assisted shopping service, where clients are finding it difficult to source essential items. 

Some clients have needed to change their usual shopping schedules, to fit in with new allocated supermarkets’ opening times for older residents and residents with disabilities.

Suspended services

Planned Activity Group (PAG) programs and Community Bus (CB) have been suspended. Community Care has been able to support clients to find alternative options if needed, so that no clients have been compromised through this change.

We have also received some service cancellations, where clients choose to manage themselves or have family support while social distancing is in place or a client feels at risk if interacting within the community.

Local community support organisations

Frankston City’s community support and charity organisations are continuing to operate as much as possible, however they too are working at reduced capacity to stop the spread of the virus.

These organisations are mostly staffed by volunteers and we ask that to avoid overwhelming smaller local services you direct all queries via the DHHS hotline or website where possible. See below.

Key resources

Council’s Community Care Team is currently being guided by Council’s Council Emergency Management Team, Department of Health and Human Services.

For general information and advice on coronavirus, particularly if you suspect you have symptoms, phone the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) direct support line: 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Family Violence Support Services

We all deserve to feel safe. As a community there is help, advice and resources for anyone in need. If you are in immediate danger call 000.

If you are experiencing family violence or know someone that is, there is help available:

Life Supports

Life Supports is a national network of counsellors and psychologists. You can find out more about our service at www.lifesupportcounselling.com.au.

You may have experienced varying impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Hypervigilance and fear about the risk of becoming infected or transmitting the virus to vulnerable family members
  • Distress about the prospect of extended periods of enforced lockdown – particularly acute for those with pre-existing mental health conditions
  • Financial and family fears: concern about personal finances, ongoing employment outcomes, access to essential goods and medicines, education and childcare, small business impact, and uncertainty around the economy at large
  • Increasing levels of conflict within relationships and families during periods of self-isolation
  • Increased domestic violence presentations
  • Parents seeking guidance on how to talk to their children about COVID-19 and manage periods of self-isolation
  • Anxious behaviour related to obsessive monitoring of news and social media platforms
  • Uncertainty around how to manage the different messages being given about COVID-19

Life Supports has adapted our service to make our 200 counsellors and psychologists available to support clients via phone and telehealth platforms.

Life Supports provides services 7 days a week and will provide services throughout the impact of COVID-19.  Our intake line is open 8:00 am till 8:00 pm weekdays and 9:00 am till 5:30 pm weekends. 

Online and phone counselling services are bulk-billed throughout the impact of COVID-19.

Reach out to your neighbour

You can still reach out to your neighbours while observing social distancing protocol. If you believe there my be someone living nearby who is isolated or otherwise vulnerable, register to receive a bundle of our Hi Neighbour cards. 

Simply fill the card out and pop them in the letterbox. 

Register to receive Hi Neighbour cards 

hineighbourcard.jpg

Download a Hi Neighbour card(PDF, 4MB)

Individuals

Community and Business Support Grant Program 

Council has made a total funding pool of almost $1 million available, to help the community and local businesses continue to thrive during COVID-19 and beyond.

There are a number of grants available to help individual residents deliver important community services.

View the full grant options available for individual applicants

Council $6.434 million Relief and Recovery Package

Council is delivering a Relief and Recovery Package as part of our Annual Budget 2020–2021, tailored to help individuals, community groups and business through COVID-19.

Supporting Individuals

We understand that many individual residents are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. Council is committed to supporting anyone under additional financial strain to make it through this difficult time. The Relief and Recovery Package includes, but is not limited to:

  • A total of $1.2 million to provide rate relief, see below for more information.
  • $50,000 to support cleaning of the city’s community shower service
  • $30,000 to deliver care packages to our city’s elderly and isolated residents and providing regular phone checks in to see what other support they may require
  • $30,000 to assist students to purchase essential study materials
  • $270,000 worth of staff redeployment support to assist with increased community needs
  • $300,000 to Community Support Frankston, to purchase food and equipment from local suppliers

Read the Council's Relief and Recovery Package summary.  

Read the breakdown of how the package will help individuals, community groups and businesses

Rates Relief

Council has provided a $1.2 million Rates Relief Package to support owner/occupiers during COVID-19.

While your rates are still due on the normal payment dates, we understand that many people have been impacted by COVID-19 and therefore Council has made the following changes to their Rates Service:

  • Penalty interest is suspended until 30 September 2020
  • Upon successful application, eligible ratepayers (i.e owner occupiers of a residential property who are receiving JobSeeker payments) will have access to a once off Rates Relief Waiver
  • Council will not be pursuing any new legal action regarding unpaid Rates until 30 September (legal action that is already underway will continue to proceed)
  • If you’re unable to pay your rates on time you can apply for an Arrangement to Pay

For more information, see Rates Relief.

Community Recovery Call Centre

Council launched the call centre referral service in April, to help impacted residents navigate and connect with the services and resources they need to recover from COVID-19. Council staff are here to help, referring residents and businesses to support services suited to their current needs.in 

If you need help finding the right support, phone: 1300 322 322 and ask to be referred to the Community Recovery Call Centre. The centre is open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm.

Government Support Programs

Below is a list of all the support services and programs available to individuals and families from the Victorian and Australian Governments.

Australian Government

  • Free Child Care for parents - If you have children currently enrolled in a Child Care facility. Find out more here.
  • Income support for individuals - Payments of $550 per fortnight for existing and new recipients of JobSeeker, Youth Allowance Jobseeker, Parenting, Farm Household and Special Benefit payments/allowances/benefits.
  • Payments to support households - Two separate payments of $750 to social security, veteran and income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.
  • Temporary early release of superannuation - Allowing individuals affected by the Coronavirus to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in 2019-2020 and a further $10,000 in 2020-2021.
  • Temporarily reducing superannuation minimum drawdown rates - A temporary reduction by 50 per cent for account-based pensions and similar products for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 supporting retirees by reducing the need to sell investment assets to fund minimum drawdown requirements.
  • Reducing social security deeming rates - A 0.75 point reduction in upper and lower social security deeming rates to support income support recipients and Age Pensioners.
  • JobKeeper payment for employees - A fortnightly $1,500 payment to help businesses significantly impacted by the Coronavirus cover the cost of their employees wages
  • Moratorium on evictions for six months - Rent relief and security if residential and commercial tenants are unable to pay their rent due to the Coronavirus
  • Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package - Payments will be made directly to providers until 30 June 2020

For more information on these Australian Government support programs, please visit: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/households

Victorian Government

  • Emergency Relief Packages - Food and personal care packages for those in mandatory self-isolation
  • Free accommodation for hospital workers and paramedics - Access to free accommodation for workers responding to COVID-19
  • Free kindergarten - Allowing kindergartens to continue operating for essential workers and vulnerable children
  • Remote learning for term 2 - Laptops and internet access will be supplied to children who need it to continue learning remotely during term 2
  • Dispatch and delivery exemption - Planning exemption to allow delivery of food, drink, groceries, medicine, cleaning and personal protection products at all hours.
  • Crisis accommodation - Short-term accommodation to assist women and children to escape family violence. Call Safe Steps on 1900 015 188 or visit safesteps.org.au
  • Safe housing for homelessness - Accommodation to enable those experiencing homelessness to safely isolate if positive for COVID-19 or to avoid infection.
  • Foster and kinship carer support - A one-off $600 payment to foster and kinship carer for every child 
  • First Home Owner grant extensions - $20,000 FHOG to people buying or building a new home in regional Victoria extended for an extra 12 months (mid-2021)
  • Telehealth appointments - Remote consultations for Royal Children's Hospital appointments

Phone Victoria's dedicated Coronavirus hotline on: 1800 675 398

Other individual support 

  • If you are experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness, contact the Department of Health and Human Services.
  • For financial counselling, including advice on managing debt, contact the free and confidential National Debt Helpline by calling 1800 007 007. Or visit MoneySmart for advice to help you manage your money.
  • For those experiencing domestic violence, please contact 1800 RESPECTMensline Australia and the Men's Referral Service also offer support to people using violence.
  • Lifeline offers personal crisis support services. Call 131 114 at any time. Kids Helpline is a free service for young people aged 5 to 25. Kids, teens and young adults can call 1800 551 800 at any time.
  • Those on a low income may be eligible to apply for a 'No Interest Loan'. For more information and details on how to apply, visit Good Shepherd Microfinance.
  • Many banks are offering home loan repayment and personal loan repayment relief. Contact your bank directly to discuss your personal financial options to assist during this time.

Sporting Clubs

Community and Business Support Grant Program 

Council has made a total funding pool of almost $1 million available, to help the community and local businesses continue to thrive during COVID-19 and beyond.

There are a number of grants available to help sporting clubs, including assisting disadvantaged young residents to enjoy the benefits of local sport.

View the full grant options available for sporting clubs

Students

Community and Business Support Grant Program 

Council has made a total funding pool of almost $1 million available, to help the community and local businesses continue to thrive during COVID-19 and beyond.

There are a number of grants available to help secondary and tertiary students to reach their potential, including assistance with school supplies and fees for tertiary students and help 

View the full grant options available for students

 


Council 2021–2022 COVID Recovery Package

In 2021–2022, Council provided a $3.86 million boost to its COVID support funding, targeted at assisting the community and local businesses to recover from the pandemic’s ongoing impact.

This latest funding brings Council’s total support to date to $9.128 million.

In 2021–2022, Council has committed to fund the following:

Community Recovery $1,010,000

  • Community Recovery Grants $100,000
  • Student grants program $10,000
  • Community Support Frankston material aid grant $500,000
  • Continued relief and recovery triage service $150,000
  • Mental Health support programs $100,000
  • Meals on Wheels support $150,000

Economic Recovery $1,352,000

  • Fee relief $220,000
    (first two hours free parking in Council owned off street car parks, new food Registrations, Kerbside trading permit fee and A frame signage)
  • Economic grants (Local Artists) $25,000
  • Invest Frankston Business grants $170,000
  • Frankston Business and Industry Chamber $500,000
    (incl program funding business support and shop façade improvements)
  • Invest Frankston marketing campaign $100,000
  • Develop a calendar of activations and small events $100,000
  • Local business buy local reward program & campaign $237,000

Stimulus Package $1,500,000

  • Rate Relief (extension of the current owner occupies $200 hardship waiver) $400,000
  • Ratepayer Rewards (discount voucher program): $1,100,000
    (one-off at call hardwaste collection, PARC pass, Arts Centre show)

More information on how we are applying the above funding


Council Meetings

Due to the evolving situation surrounding COVID-19 and the announcements by Federal and State Government regarding public health and safety, we encourage residents to watch via online live streaming, ongoing until January 2022. Thank you for understanding and support.

Please visit our Council Meetings page for more details.


How To Contact Us

Due to the ongoing situation surrounding COVID-19 and the announcements by Federal and State Government regarding public health and safety, Council strongly recommends the below methods of contact for all enquiries:

Contact Channel Information
Live Chat

Chat online to one of our team members between 8.30am-5pm

Note: Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari are the most suitable web browsers for live chat feature

Email info@frankston.vic.gov.au
Telephone Call us on 1300 322 322 to speak with one of our customer service officers.
Social Media You can keep up to date and message us on our social media channels
Online 

Our online systems are still functioning as normal, you can;

Visit Us From Friday 6 August, our Customer Service Centres in Frankston (Civic Centre), Seaford and Langwarrin will be closed until further notice, pending COVID-19 restrictions.
Media Enquiries communications@franskton.vic.gov.au.
Youth Services

Phone: 9768 1366

Email:youthcentral@frankston.vic.gov.au

Social Media: Facebook and Instagram

Frankston Libraries libraryenquiries@frankston.vic.gov.au
Frankston Arts Centre

Phone: 9784 1060

Email: thefac@frankston.vic.gov.au

Social Media: Facebook and Instagram