Frankston Budget Boost Backs Safety and Outreach in the CBD

Published on 30 June 2025

Frankston City Council is investing more in safety and social outreach across its CBD through its 2025/26 Stronger Together Annual Budget, after flagship programs including Rapid Response patrols and Community Connectors delivered strong results over the past year.

Programs including the Rapid Response CBD patrols, and the Community Connectors outreach initiative have had a measurable impact on safety and wellbeing in the city centre — with both on track for further expansion in the coming year.

Council’s Rapid Response teams have become a daily presence in the city, stepping up patrols in streets and laneways to improve safety and amenity.

Operating under Council’s Community Local Law 2020, the teams now average three patrols per weekday, monitoring issues including smoking, alcohol consumption, and anti-social behaviour. They also address rough sleeping, graffiti, footpath obstructions, and conduct audits of spray paint sales and unsightly buildings.

In the past 12 months, Rapid Response officers have carried out 532 investigations and issued warnings and infringements, mainly for public drinking and smoking in designated smoke-free areas.

The teams are also working closely with Victoria Police, most recently supporting a high-visibility operation targeting drug offences and anti-social behaviour near Frankston Station. The operation resulted in 25 arrests.

To further improve public safety, Council is collaborating with Victoria Police to enhance access to its extensive CCTV network — one of the largest operated by a local government in Australia. Recent installations include new cameras at Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve, Ashleigh Avenue, Karingal Drive, Mahogany Shopping Strip, and Railway Parade.

Council has increased its CCTV coverage across the community by 20 per cent since 2018, making it one of the largest local government-operated CCTV networks in Australia.

Frankston City Deputy Mayor Steffie Conroy said the suite of safety and wellbeing programs was having a real and visible impact on the city centre.

“Transforming our city centre isn’t just about construction and development,” Deputy Mayor Conroy said. “It’s also about creating a place where people feel safe, supported, and connected.”

“From daily patrols and joint police operations to expand CCTV, we’re tackling the complex issues our city faces head on.”

“These initiatives are not only improving safety and amenity - they’re restoring confidence, strengthening community resilience, and ensuring support reaches those who need it most.”

The Community Connectors program was launched in late 2024 as part of the Young Street Action Plan, providing on-the-ground support at one of the city centre’s busiest gateways.

Jointly funded by Frankston City Council and Metro Trains and delivered by South East Community Links, the program places trained outreach workers in the community to provide real-time support, advice, and referrals related to drug and alcohol issues, mental health, homelessness, and family violence.

In just the past three months, Community Connectors have supported more than 450 people — with around half receiving help specifically related to housing or homelessness.

In another important initiative, Council partnered with Monash University to launch the Library Social Worker Clinic at Playne Street Library. Since opening in September 2024, the clinic has supported 123 individuals with issues such as housing and tenancy, Centrelink benefits, family violence, and grief and loss.

As well as meeting rising demand for social services, the clinic helps reduce occupational violence risks and supports the smooth delivery of other library programs.

Councillor Brad Hill said the clinic was a timely response to increasing community need.

“We’re seeing more people come to Council spaces for help, and we need to respond in ways that are meaningful and effective,” Cr Hill said.

“The demand is real, and it’s growing. That’s why we’re investing in frontline services like the Library Social Worker Clinic and Community Connectors, because these initiatives make a lasting difference — not just for individuals, but for the wellbeing of our whole community.”

“By embedding social work into our everyday services, we’re reducing barriers and reaching people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.”

Council committed more than $215,000 in the 2025/26 Budget, endorsed unanimously at the 23 June Council Meeting, to expanding safety and wellbeing programs, including Rapid Response patrols, Community Connectors and new graffiti prevention and community partnerships.

Almost $160,000 was set aside to support the expansion of Rapid Response patrols outside of the city centre, while the Community Connectors program received an extra $40,000 to extend the programs beyond the Young Street and Frankston Station precinct.

The budget also included a range of other community safety programs, including:

• A graffiti prevention program including bounty and anti-graffiti kits ($10,000)

• Investment in Frankston Neighbourhood Watch program ($10,000)

• CBD Victoria Police cycle program ($5000)

For more information about Frankston City Council’s 2025-2026 Stronger Together Annual Budget, visit https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Council/Frankston-priorities-and-strategies/Council-Plan-and-Budget