Supporting households while planning for the future
Published on 04 September 2025
Frankston City Council rates notices are expected to arrive in mailboxes in the next week, with full details of this year’s 2025–26 ‘Stronger Together’ Annual Budget – designed to ease cost-of-living pressures while keeping average rates among the lowest in the region and continuing to invest in Frankston City’s future.
Frankston City Mayor Cr Kris Bolam JP said Council is acutely aware of the financial pressures many households are facing.
"Whether it’s groceries, fuel, rent or mortgages, the cost of living is biting across our community. Council understands this and we’re acting to ease the burden where we can,” he said.
A key feature of the budget is a new $1.7 million Local Support Package, funded through a deliberate shift in focus, prioritising smarter spending and Council efficiencies. This includes ‘Ratepayer Rewards’, offering households the choice of $30 off their next paid hard waste collection, free entry to PARC or a membership upgrade, or a $30 voucher for the Frankston Arts Centre. Council is also giving away 1,400 trees to residents in Autumn 2026.
At the same time, Frankston City Council continues to deliver some of the best value rates in the region. The city’s average rate per property assessment (ARPPA) for 2025–26 is $1,831.88, which is below the average for neighbouring councils, according to published 2025-2026 Annual Budget documents.
While Council has kept this year’s total rate income increase to just 3 per cent in line with the State Government’s rate cap, the impacts will be partially offset through the introduction a new differential rate on vacant and land-banked properties in the city centre, limiting the total income
raised from residential households to just 2.24 per cent and 1.12 per cent from commercial ratepayers.
Mayor Bolam also reminded ratepayers that their total bill includes more than just Council charges.
"Each year, charges in your rates notice may reflect not only your property’s valuation compared to others in the municipality, and Council’s rate decisions, but also State Government taxes such as the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (replacing the Fire Services Property Levy), which are set independently of Council. This relates to factors over which Council has no control,” he said.
“Council expressed its opposition to this new tax and contributed to a motion from the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) requesting that the State Government eliminate state-based levies forced onto local government.”
The average levy increase for Frankston City residential properties as a result of the new Emergency Services Volunteer Fund is $67.98, which equates to a 34% rise. This income goes straight back to the Victorian Government.
Council’s $73 million capital works program for 2025–26 will continue to invest in vital infrastructure and services across the city, from play space upgrades and shade sails in open spaces to early years facilities. Core services such as waste and recycling, graffiti removal, tree and park maintenance, libraries, maternal and child health, in-home care, and youth services will also remain priorities, supported by strong advocacy that has secured almost $130 million in State and Federal Government funding across the last three elections.
Mayor Bolam said the budget strikes a careful balance between supporting residents today and preparing for tomorrow.
"This budget is about providing immediate relief while continuing to plan responsibly for the future. Council will keep advocating, investing wisely and standing with our community through the tough times. That’s what being Stronger Together is all about."
Where to access key information relating to ratepayer benefits: