A shore investment in summer safety

Published on 28 November 2025

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. That pride in our coastline was reinforced in 2025 when Frankston City was named “Tidy City of the Year” by Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria, recognising excellence in growing our urban forest, natural reserve and coastal management, and environmental volunteer support.

“Our coastline is our most prized natural asset, so this award reflects the dedication of our volunteers, community groups and staff who care deeply about our coastline,” Mayor Kris Bolam JP said. “As Victoria’s Tidy City of the Year, we’re proud to build on that legacy with new safety measures and long-term planning to keep our beaches well-maintained, safe and enjoyable for all.”

Mayor Bolam said this celebration stands in stark contrast to the tragic incident on our foreshore in October, where two lives were lost to drowning. He said the tragedy had a profound effect on the community and reinforced the need to strengthen beach safety ahead of summer.

“The loss of two lives on our foreshore was incredibly heartbreaking,” Mayor Bolam said. “In the wake of such tragedy, I pledged additional investment in coastal safety measures, and we are now doing more than ever to support a safer summer for everyone.”

A key part of this work is the Can Swim program, which makes Frankston one of the first councils in Victoria to offer free beach-based swimming lessons. With $75,000 in Council funding, the program runs across multiple locations, including Frankston Beach, Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) and the Pines Forest Aquatic Centre. Catering to all age groups, it helps residents build skills and confidence in and around the water, with expressions of interest now open for beach and pool sessions commencing in early 2026.

“Strong water skills save lives. By offering free beach swimming lessons to residents of all ages, we’re helping people build the skills they need to stay safe in and around the water," said Mayor Bolam.

Recognising the vital role of our lifesavers and beach patrol volunteers, Council is also providing an additional $20,000 to support essential equipment and ongoing beach safety efforts.

“Our lifesavers and beach patrol volunteers do incredible work. As part of our investment in beach safety and clean ups, we’re providing further funding to Frankston Lifesaving Club and Seaford Lifesaving Club, and to our dedicated 3199 and 3198 Beach Patrol groups,” said Mayor Bolam.

Council is continuing its advocacy for those on the frontline of water safety, highlighted by a recent call to strengthen legal protections for lifeguards and water safety and rescue personnel. At the 2025 MAV State Council Meeting, Mayor Bolam moved a motion to grant aquatic safety personnel the same legislative protections as other emergency service workers. This adds to Council’s ongoing work to secure greater support for marine search and rescue services and improved funding for local lifesaving clubs.

Seaford Lifesaving Club President Darren McLeod ESM said the support comes at a critical time. “Our volunteers work incredibly hard to keep beachgoers safe, and this additional investment from Council will make a meaningful difference,” Mr McLeod said. “Having access to the right equipment ensures we can respond quickly and effectively when the community needs us most.”

Local volunteer Peter Talbot, leader of the 3199 Frankston Beach Patrol group, also welcomed Council’s increased investment in beach safety. “3199 Frankston Beach Patrol is proud to work alongside Council to highlight safety issues that matter to our community. Our volunteers have spent years identifying risks and hazards on the foreshore, and we’re committed to keeping our coastline safe, clean and enjoyable year-round. It’s great to see Council investing in initiatives that support this shared goal.”

In addition to investing in swimming programs, safety equipment and frontline patrols, Council is also improving the way safety information is communicated across the foreshore. Building on the success of Council’s digital safety signs – also known as variable message signs – foreshore safety will be strengthened this summer through a $10,000 investment in upgraded signage at key locations along the coastline.

“Our digital safety signs have become an important tool for keeping people informed, especially when the weather turns quickly,” said Mayor Bolam. “Council will now explore opportunities to install additional signage at Frankston and Seaford piers, giving beachgoers clearer information to help them stay safe during changing conditions.”

Emergency readiness has been further strengthened with the installation of new defibrillators outside the toilets at the Children’s playground on the Waterfront, Oliver’s Corner Beach Bar, and Seaford Beach. The defibrillators were purchased by Rotary Peninsula 2.0 Using funds raised from successful Duck Derby at Frankston’s Waterfront Festival.

Alongside these immediate safety improvements, Council is also investing in long-term coastal resilience. The Frankston City Coastal Resilience 2100 Project – a joint initiative with the Federal Government – is a $288,305 project to deliver a comprehensive Coastal Hazard Adaptation and Resilience Plan. It builds on previous stages of the Coastal Resilience project co-funded by Council and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. The first four stages are being finalised in the coming months. The next stages include landslide assessments, adaptation pathways and a new drone monitoring program to help adapt and manage risks along the coastline into the future.

Mayor Bolam said the project highlights Council’s responsibility to plan ahead. “Our coastline is one is what makes our city unique, and this work ensures we’re putting strong foundations in place now to support its resilience and natural values for generations to come.”

Continuing its advocacy for stronger foreshore safety infrastructure, Council also plans to engage the Victorian Government on the installation of safety buoys at Frankston and Seaford piers. These buoys would provide additional support for swimmers who find themselves in difficulty, particularly in light of the recent drowning tragedies.

Improved accessibility is also a focus, with Frankston set to host Australia’s Most Accessible Beach pilot next month. 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. The program will introduce features such as extensive beach matting, beach wheelchairs and walkers, a hoist, shaded daybeds and trained support staff, enabling people of all abilities to enjoy Frankston Beach with greater ease.

With thousands of extra visitors expected over the summer months, Council is boosting its presence along the foreshore. Council officers will continue to operate beach-buggy patrols, assisting lifesavers by providing increased coverage across the beach. This is supported by Council’s Rapid Response Team who work alongside Victoria Police to maintain a visible safety presence across the foreshore, parks, shopping strips and the city centre.

“This increased patrol presence helps ensure our coastline remains safe, accessible and welcoming during our busiest months,” said Mayor Bolam. “It’s about providing peace of mind to families and giving our community the support it needs to enjoy a safe summer in Frankston City.”

This sentiment is echoed by Deputy Mayor Cr Steffie Conroy, who recently met with Council’s beach patrol team. “The beach patrol buggy helps our patrol teams move quickly along the foreshore, supporting lifeguards during our busy summer months,” she said.

Cr Conroy also highlighted the broader impact of Council’s efforts. “These investments – from free swimming programs to coastal resilience and increased patrols – reflect our commitment to protecting both our community and our coastline. It’s encouraging to see such a comprehensive approach to summer safety.”

For real-time beach conditions and weather updates, visit beachsafe.org.au and the Bureau of Meteorology at bom.gov.au.