Council to fast-track housing growth and affordability
Published on 24 November 2025
Frankston City Council is turbocharging housing growth and affordability, unveiling two bold initiatives designed to fast-track development and help more locals buy their first home.
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.
These reforms are part of Council’s plan to unlock new housing supply, provide certainty for the private sector, and help local families enter the housing market during a challenging economic period.
Priority Fasttrack Program
The new Fasttrack Development Program will deliver an expedited planning assessment pathway, providing timeframe certainty and one of the most competitive major planning approval processes in Victoria.
Benefits include:
- Guaranteed 16-week planning assessment for qualifying major developments
- Enhanced pre-application guidance
- Dedicated post-permit concierge support to enable faster delivery and activation
First Home Buyer Subsidy
The First Home Buyer Subsidy can be used alongside existing State and Federal support programs, including the Victorian Government’s $10,000 First Home Owner Grant, which helps eligible buyers purchase or build a new home to live in, and the Federal Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme, which assists buyers to enter the market sooner with a smaller deposit.
Highlights include:
- $1,000 one-off payment for eligible first-home buyers purchasing in Frankston City
- Designed to support home ownership, market confidence and local affordability
- First program of its kind in Victoria at a local government level
Mayor Kris Bolam JP said both initiatives reflect Frankston City’s commitment to innovation in housing and economic development and the need to balance growth with affordability.
“Housing affordability and supply are among the defining challenges of our time. Frankston City is taking a leadership position, both by supporting first-home buyers and by providing a clear, competitive and fast-tracked approvals pathway for investors,” he said.
“The Priority Fasttrack Program sends a clear message: Frankston City is open for business. We’re giving investors confidence and bringing new development to market faster — one of only a handful of councils statewide offering this level of certainty.”
“At the same time, we’re backing local residents with Victoria’s first local government First Home Buyer Subsidy. We don’t want our own residents priced out of the housing market, and at a time of mortgage stress and cost-of-living pressures, every little bit helps.”
“We want every first time buyer to be able to achieve the dream of housing affordability. It shouldn’t be a dream, it should be a reality.”
Frankston City's population is forecast to grow beyond 150,000 residents, with an aspirational target of 33,000 new homes by 2051.
To support this growth, Council has put in place a range of reforms to support responsible and sustainable development, including:
- The Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre Structure Plan, endorsed by the Planning Minister last year
- A differential rate for long-term vacant land to deter land-banking
- An Affordable Housing Policy which sets a clear direction for how Council will work with others to deliver more affordable homes in Frankston City
Mayor Bolam said Frankston City is one of the few municipalities experiencing a combination of demand, investment and public-sector alignment.
“Frankston is a recognised metropolitan activity centre, with nearly 1,000 new city-centre apartments in the pipeline, significant buyer interest, and major public and private investments transforming our city.
“We’re proud to be putting in place the settings that support our city’s growth while helping residents take that crucial first step towards home ownership.”
Local real estate leader Ash Marton said the first-home buyer subsidy would make a meaningful difference for young buyers.
“We are seeing strong demand from first-home buyers who want to stay close to family, work and the coastline lifestyle that makes this area so special. The $1,000 rebate may be a modest contribution, but if it helps more young people take that first step into the market, it represents a positive move and reinforces that Frankston is a city investing in its future community,” he said.
Danny Ciarma, director of Urban DC which delivered the Horizon development, also welcomed the reforms.
“Certainty and speed in planning are critical. Frankston City Council’s new Priority Development Program will give developers confidence to invest, plan and deliver. Frankston City is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting growth destinations in Victoria.”
The Priority Fasttrack Program launches on 31 January 2026. More information will be available closer to that date on Council’s Planning webpage.
The First Home Buyer Subsidy is available from 1 July 2026. More information will be available in the new year.