Frankston sets new standard in collaboration and modern city-building

Published on 10 December 2025

Frankston City Council has unveiled a suite of landmark initiatives designed to strengthen collaboration, unlock investment and deliver practical outcomes for the community – setting a new benchmark for modern local government leadership.

Mayor Kris Bolam JP said the package reflects Frankston City’s evolution from a town into a regional city built on partnerships, innovation and accountable governance.

“Frankston City’s progress over recent years has been driven by a clear commitment to collaboration. When councils, governments and industry pull in the same direction, we can deliver results faster, attract investment and build the type of city our community expects and deserves,” Mayor Bolam said.

Council’s partnership with Kingston City Council has now been formalised through the Nepean Partnership, an agreement that aligns the two municipalities on shared priorities along the Nepean corridor. The partnership will support coordinated advocacy, unlock joint funding opportunities and streamline cross-border projects such as transport connections and public-realm improvements.

Kingston City Council Mayor Georgina Oxley said “the Nepean Partnership is built on trust and working together for the community regardless of the lines on a map. We look forward to a long and strong alliance with Frankston City”.

Major progress is also underway in housing, with the establishment of the Frankston Housing Acceleration Taskforce – a joint initiative between local, state and federal governments aimed at enabling financially viable, community-focused housing projects. The Taskforce will connect community housing providers with landowners holding surplus land, assist in securing government grants and coordinate a unified approach to increasing housing supply.

Mayor Bolam said the initiative “shows that Frankston City is tackling affordability and supply in a genuinely solutions-driven way. By bringing all levels of government to the table, we are unlocking land, supporting providers and fast-tracking projects that meet the needs of current and future residents.”

Complementary measures, including the adoption of the Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre Structure Plan, a new Affordable Housing Policy, a 16-week Priority Development fast-track process and action to address land banking, will support continued growth in a planned and sustainable way.

Tourism and visitation will also receive a major boost, with Frankston joining the Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board under the Visitor Economy Partnership model. This regional alignment will strengthen local operators, enhance major event attraction and position Frankston as a destination of choice for visitors, conferences and investors.

“As we continue our transition into a regional city, this partnership will help secure quality hotel accommodation, activate new event spaces and support the type of tourism offerings that drive jobs and economic activity,” Mayor Bolam said.

Frankston City’s global business links are also expanding. While the Frankston Business Chamber operates independently of Council, Mayor Bolam has helped facilitate new international connections that will support local businesses to access overseas markets and attract investment. The Chamber has formalised a Sister Chamber partnership with the Australian Wuxi General Chamber of Commerce, with further agreements progressing with the Italian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Melbourne), the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce (Kansas, USA) and the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce (Maryland, USA).

Frankston Business Chamber President David Friend said “When our chambers connect, our businesses expand. Sister chamber relations help local companies scale, create jobs, and compete with confidence in new markets.”

Mayor Bolam said the momentum now building across Frankston City reflects a shared determination to grow the local economy, attract new investment and deliver long-term benefits for residents.

“Frankston City is no longer just planning for the future – we are building it,” he said. “These partnerships show what is possible when we think bigger and work together. Whether it’s housing, tourism or global business links, Frankston City is stepping confidently into its next chapter as a thriving regional centre.”