Tidy City Frankston City wins environment and community awards
Published on 14 November 2025
Frankston City Council continues to be recognised as a leader in the local government sector, with accolades celebrating a range of projects and services.
Earlier this month, Frankston City Council was officially recognised as Victoria’s Tidy City for 2025 in the Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Tidy Towns & Cities Sustainability Awards, acknowledging the city’s leadership in environmental innovation and community collaboration.
Council also received the Environment Award for its Growing Our Urban Forest initiative, which has seen more than 60,000 trees planted in just three years — making it one of Australia’s largest local government–led tree-planting programs.
The program, delivered in close partnership with local schools and the Frankston Environmental Friends Network (FEFN), is a major step toward achieving Council’s goal of 20 per cent canopy cover by 2040.
Now in their 42nd year, the Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Tidy Towns & Cities Sustainability Awards have been recognising the best and brightest projects across Victoria that contribute to a sustainable, resilient and beautiful town or city.
In addition to taking out the overall Tidy City and Environment awards, Frankston City was also a finalist in the following categories:
- Indigenous Culture – Frankston City Council Coastal Strategy: Cultural Values Assessment;
- Community – Environmental Friends Group Volunteer Guidelines;
- Social Wellbeing – Youth Empowerment Showcase Awards.
FEFN Chair David Cross said the awards were significant recognition for both Council and the community.
“We’re so pleased that the hard work of all involved has been recognised in the 2025 Tidy Cities – Sustainability Awards, with Frankston City winning both the overall award and recognition for our Growing Our Urban Forest initiative,” Mr Cross said.
Frankston City also received national recognition for the Community Connectors program, which earned a Gold Award in the 2025 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards.
Delivered by trained social workers from South East Community Links, and in partnership with Metro Trains, Community Connectors provide people with assistance, advice and referrals to local services offering longer-term support.
The program has already supported 185 referrals to vital support services, 124 de-escalations of physical or verbal confrontations, and 340 harm-prevention interactions since the start of this year.
Last month, Council announced it will continue to partner with South East Community Links and Metro Trains to deliver the Frankston Station and Young Street program until at least September 2026, while extending the program along the Station Street and Shannon Street malls, thanks to a new partnership with Vicinity Centres.
South East Community Links CEO Peter McNamara said the award recognises an innovative approach to community safety that doesn’t start with police or security, but with empathy, connection and prevention.
“With the support of Frankston City Council, Metro Trains and now Vicinity Centres, the Community Connectors program is meeting people where they are and providing support before situations escalate. By responding with care instead of enforcement, we’re creating safer public spaces in Frankston for everyone.”
Council has also been formally designated a Refugee Welcome Zone by the Refugee Council of Australia. The designation recognises Council’s commitment to building an inclusive community that acknowledges the journeys refugees make and their contribution to the city.
Council supports cultural diversity through a range of programs, including its community-led CALD Network, which strengthens Council’s communication and relationships with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and promotes a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.
Cr Emily Green said becoming a Refugee Welcome Zone was a natural step for Frankston City, which has a long tradition of welcoming people of different backgrounds.
“Frankston City has always welcomed new community members with open arms, no matter their story or journey,” Cr Green said. “As a Refugee Welcome Zone, the world can now see that we are a city where everyone can belong, participate and reach their full potential.”
Paul Power, CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia, said local councils play a key role in building communities where everyone can belong and feel welcome.
“The Refugee Council of Australia is delighted Frankston City Council is taking this important step to show leadership in welcoming refugees — joining 177 other local councils around the country who have made a commitment to welcome refugees, uphold human rights and enhance cultural and religious diversity.”
The declaration comes as Council also seeks to step up its membership of the Welcoming Cities Network, a national network of cities, shires and towns committed to an Australia where everyone can belong and participate in social, cultural, economic and civic life.
Council is seeking reassessment from ‘Committed’ to ‘Established’ membership, in recognition of the action it has taken to create a more connected and cohesive community. An announcement is expected in the coming weeks.
Other recent recognition received by Council includes:
- State winner and national nominee in the Australian Event Awards for South Side Festival (Best Small Event);
- National nominee in the 2025 Australian Event Awards for Carlsberg Beach Club (Best Brand Event);
- Finalist in the National Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards for the Trim Your Bin Program (Outstanding Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Project: Metro) ;
- 2025 Aquatics & Recreation Victoria Awards: Seasonal Facility of the Year for Pines Pool, Large Facility of the Year for PARC, and the prestigious Sustainability Award (PARC)
- Environmental Health Professionals Australia Individual Excellence and Innovation Award (leadership in tobacco enforcement, education and harm reduction.
Mayor Kris Bolam JP said the range of awards and recognition demonstrated Council’s ongoing leadership and its deep connection with the community.
“These awards highlight the very best of what local government can achieve from protecting our environment to supporting our most vulnerable to building a city where everyone feels welcome,” Mayor Bolam said.
“It’s a proud moment for Frankston City and a credit to our staff, volunteers, partners and residents who share in these successes”.
“These accolades reflect our city’s pride, passion and innovation - hallmarks of a city confidently evolving from a seaside town into a leading regional destination.”