Ongoing Community Connectors in Young Street and Frankston Station
Project cost: $1.5M
State Government ask: $750,000
Launched in 2024 as part of our Young Street Action Plan, Council has partnered with Metro Trains to fund the Community Connectors program, which is delivered by South East Community Links.
The program has helped to establish a safe and welcoming arrival to Frankston’s city centre, while providing support to our most vulnerable where they most need it.
Rather than taking a punitive approach, the initiative uses mental health and social support practitioners to connect those facing complex challenges with services they need, while assisting businesses, community members and passengers who frequent the precinct.
What will be delivered
Through a partnership with the Victorian Government, we can ensure ongoing funding for staff for this important service supporting our most vulnerable where and when they need it, while increasing public safety in the city centre.
Did you know?
- Crime in Young Street (disorderly conduct) has dropped by 15 per cent from last year.
- In addition, in 2025 our Community Connectors engaged with 1,700 people including:
- 700+ engagements where mental health was a concern;
- 550+ involving alcohol and other drugs;
- Nearly 600 involving homelessness or at-risk behaviour;
- Provided 200+ referrals into services to get people the help they need • Undertook 500+ early interventions — spotting trouble before it started;
- De-escalated nearly 200 high-risk situations using expertise and skill, often alongside partners including Frankston City Council and local police.
Behind every purple vest is a person making a real difference
Meet Lisa, one of the dedicated Community Connectors helping create a safer, more welcoming Frankston city centre.
Working across the Frankston Station and Young Street precinct, Lisa and the rest of the Community Connectors team support people experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, substance dependency and other complex issues, while also assisting local businesses, commuters and the broader community.
With varied backgrounds from counselling to drug and alcohol rehabilitation, this dedicated outreach crew is fully trained to take a compassionate approach that delivers real results for our community.
Launched in late 2024, the program has gone from strength to strength. In 2025-26 alone the team has supported 3,104 people, including 1,644 regular participants, resulting in 217 referrals to support services, and has undertaken 216 early interventions, helping to de-escalate high-risk situations before they became more serious. It’s an approach that works and is now being replicated across in other areas including Footscray Station and will be launched in Broadmeadows later this month.
That's why Frankston City Council is advocating for further ongoing Victorian Government funding, ensuring this important partnership with South East Community Links can continue supporting vulnerable people while improving community safety and wellbeing. The program is currently co-funded by Council and State Government through Metro Trains.
Hear from Lisa about the impact of the Community Connectors program and why this service matters. Then reach out to your Frankston candidates ahead of this year's election and ask them to put Frankston Community Connectors first.