A PLAN for the future of Frankston’s city centre has been released.
Frankston Council has begun community consultation on its Metropolitan Activity Centre Structure Plan. Council says the document will “set out a framework to guide the development of our city centre over the next 20 years, providing clear direction on land uses, housing, built form, employment, streetscapes and open space, and movement and transport.”
Council ran a survey earlier this year asking residents what they wanted to see in the city centre. Among the most popular responses were additional events and festivals, support for the retail and hospitality sector, the upgrade of Shannon Street Mall, the connection of Baxter Trail to the train station and to the Dandenong Road East shared path, and the provision of real time digital signage for car parking.
One measure considered in the draft plan is the “activation” of the Comfort Station at the end of Playne Street. The site has recently been used as a shower facility for the homeless.
The plan reads that council will “work with the community and businesses to explore options for activating the Comfort Station building. This should consider alternative uses for the [site] which will activate the building and adjoining footpath spaces.”
Former Dunkley MP and the Liberal candidate for Mornington, Chris Crewther, played a part in setting up the shower initiative. He commented on a post about the Comfort Station on the Frankston History Facebook page to show support for its continued use as a shower facility.
“This must be retained as a hot shower facility for people experiencing homelessness, and others that are vulnerable and in need,” Crewther said. “We must retain more of our local heritage as well, including the Comfort Station. So much heritage has been lost recently – boathouse, old Frankston High School Building, [and] bluestone toilets.”
Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy says the draft structure plan was shaped with resident feedback. “You spoke, and we listened. We heard your desire for change, interest in more events and concerns about car parking and building height,” he said. “Frankston has an opportunity to become a major economic hub supporting the south-east growth corridor and broader metropolis. To achieve its full potential, Frankston needs to evolve into a more economically diverse, high-amenity and integrated city centre. And that’s what the FMAC Structure Plan outlines – a future vision for the city.
“We’ve listened to your views on the future of Frankston, and we want to know if we have got it right. Have your say on the draft FMAC Structure Plan. With your input, we can create a new vision for Frankston.”
Frankston Council approved its last FMAC in 2015.
Consultation on the draft plan closes 12 December. To read the plan and make a submission visit engage.frankston.vic.gov.au or contact Frankston Council at 1300 322 322
