FRANKSTON Council is calling on the state and federal governments to fund major changes to the Nepean Highway.
Council is advocating for a $37 million upgrade to the Nepean Highway thoroughfare. It hopes to see the construction of wider footpaths, the addition of more trees and street furniture, accommodations for outdoor dining, and the creation of better connections from the city centre across Nepean Boulevard to Frankston’s foreshore and Kananook Creek.
The plan also includes lower speed limits and the addition of more cycling lanes.
Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy says that making Nepean Highway a “pedestrian friendly beachside boulevard be-fitting of the lifestyle destination that is Frankston” is a key part of council’s vision for the area.
“Frankston’s city centre is ripe for revitalisation and long-term strategic planning work is already underway to reimagine our city centre, making it more pedestrian friendly and encouraging people to linger in the city,” he said.
“The Nepean Boulevard is an important opportunity for Frankston. It’s our shopfront window with a coastline catchment of 800,000 people annually and we need to put our best foot forward. We’re appealing to candidates in the upcoming federal and state elections for their support for this important city shaping project. The iconic avenue of fig trees, the Clock Tower, the legendary intersection of Davey Street and Nepean Highway with its live music venues and eateries all deserve to be highlighted and celebrated.
“Council has already begun work with the Victorian Government Department of Transport and the Frankston Revitalisation Board to deliver immediate revitalisation works along Nepean Highway including expanded outdoor dining, 19 new parklets and decorative median tree lighting. We’ve seen how successful these small-scale interventions can be. It’s now time to take it to the next level and make the highway a destination in itself to boost the local economy and support recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
