Local Leadership and Investment Unite to Drive Frankston City’s Future
Frankston’s push to reinvent itself as a vibrant metropolitan hub is gathering real momentum, with government, business and community leaders working together to shape the city’s next chapter.
At the recent Visioning the Future of Development in Frankston forum, more than 100 representatives from across government and industry met to discuss the city’s rapid transformation and the opportunities it’s creating for locals and small businesses.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny MP said she was “very excited about the potential and possibilities of Frankston.”
Mayor Kris Bolam JP said the city was now seeing the rewards of years of groundwork and collaboration. “We have all the right ingredients – the location, the leadership, the partnerships, and now the momentum,” he said.
Small Business and Housing at the Heart of Frankston’s Renewal
Mayor Bolam said Council’s approach was about balancing progress with purpose.
“We back well-planned, well-designed development that elevates our community and grows our economy,” he said.
“By providing speed, clarity and certainty, we’re creating the right conditions for investment, and the results speak for themselves.”
Over the past year alone, nearly 700 new businesses have opened across Frankston and close to 1,000 new apartments are in the pipeline. National brands such as The Sporting Globe, TGI Fridays, Starbucks and UNIQLO have joined a growing list of local entrepreneurs choosing to invest in the city.
Property analyst Terry Ryder has described Frankston as “one of the hottest markets in Victoria, if not nationally.”
Planning Tools and Policy Changes Fuel Growth
To help sustain that growth, Frankston City Council has rolled out a series of planning reforms and investment incentives. These include:
- A Special Economic Priority Area study showing a $4 return for every $1 invested in strategic development.
- A new Development Contributions Plan, unlocking $32 million for upgrades to Playne Street and Kananook Creek Boulevard.
- A Public Acquisition Overlay giving Council power to secure key land for future pedestrian and connectivity projects.
- A 300% differential rate on vacant land to discourage land-banking and encourage redevelopment.
- A full review of post-permit processes to speed up how approved projects move to construction.
Council says these steps will help deliver the Victorian Government’s target of 33,000 new dwellings by 2051, while keeping development focused on affordability, design quality and liveability.
Frankston Emerging as a Destination City
The city’s resurgence isn’t just about cranes and construction sites. It’s also about creating a place people want to visit — and stay.
Roger Lancia, Chair of the Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board, said:
“Frankston isn’t simply a gateway, it is a destination.”
“With its beaches, culture, food scene and events, Frankston is attracting locals, day-trippers and interstate and international visitors alike,” he said.
“A vibrant, modern, connected city centre enhances the entire region and fuels long-term economic benefit across the peninsula.”
Cath Evans, Victorian Executive Director of the Property Council, agreed that Frankston’s leadership was setting an example.
“Frankston is setting a benchmark in local government leadership. The combination of planning reform, investment certainty and a clear economic vision makes Frankston a compelling proposition for developers, investors and businesses,” she said.
A City on the Rise
As Frankston continues to evolve, the challenge will be turning ambition into balance — ensuring rapid development delivers genuine community benefit, affordable housing, and opportunities for small business to thrive.
Will Frankston’s bold transformation make it the model for Australia’s next generation of coastal cities — or will it test how much change a community can embrace at once?
Read the full media release from Frankston City Council at frankston.vic.gov.au.
