IN a major milestone for the ongoing revitalisation of Frankston’s city centre, Frankston City Council will implement a long-term, transformational action plan for one of the key CBD entry points, Young Street. Councillors voted to adopt the Young Street Action Plan at the 12 August Council Meeting, noting it followed extensive community feedback.
Mayor Nathan Conroy said over recent years, there has been growing demand from community, businesses and stakeholders to improve Young Street for locals and visitors. “It is the central location in our city, and it’s clear the community wants a more vibrant, thriving Young Street – a better presented, safer place with improved shopping and dining options – a place where people want to spend time,” he said. “The Young Street Action Plan recognises the changes that are underway and identifies a number of actions that tackle immediate and long-term challenges within the key city centre precinct.”
The Action Plan outlines initiatives across six key pillars including working with businesses, safety in the community, street presentation, development and activation, city connectivity and space and community health and wellbeing.
Central to the plan is working with businesses and community service providers to understand their needs.
Council is already implementing initiatives that aim to transform the visitor experience along Young Street. These include:
- Increased Rapid Response Team patrols, enforcing a range of Local Laws that aim to deter antisocial behaviours such as smoking, vaping and public consumption of alcohol.
- A newly established City Presentation Team, focused on enhancing the look and feel of Young Street through daily footpath and street sweeping, graffiti removal and litter collection along the 500 metre Young Street Precinct.
- Increased planting at roundabouts and in planter boxes across the precinct and more seating options for city centre visitors.
Perhaps most significantly, Council is collaborating on the introduction of a new community safety outreach initiative within the Frankston Station and Young Street precinct. More information on this proposed initiative will be provided in the coming weeks.
Mayor Conroy said: “Over 2,000 visitors pass through Frankston Station and into Young Street. It is one of the major entries into our city centre, every day. “As you come out of Frankston train station, we want to see a vibrant, safe and thriving street full of housing and business choice.”
To accelerate delivery of the initiatives in the plan identified as priorities by the community, Council is utilising existing budget with minimal impact to other local initiatives. The plan will be updated as initiatives are introduced and completed and Council will receive regular updates on progress.
To download a copy of the Young Street Action Plan visit: www.frankston.vic.gov.au/youngstreet
First published in the Frankston Times – 20 August 2024