WITH the federal election done and dusted, Frankston Council has begun putting together its wishlist for funding ahead of next year’s state election. Approximately $75 million worth of projects in and around Frankston were supported by the re-elected federal government during the election campaign. Among the commitments were $50 million towards Nepean Highway works and $5 million towards the Bruce Park pavilion redevelopment.
At their 2 June meeting, Frankston councillors approved a list of projects that council officers have suggested advocating for during the 2026 state election campaign. Funding priorities endorsed by councillors included $1.66 million for the Bruce Park redevelopment and $2 million for the Len Phelps Pavilion expansion. “Active transport initiatives” worth $3.63 million at Eel Race Road, $2.5 million for Fletcher Road, and $2.5 million for Robinsons Road were also endorsed. Council will also seek a little more than $1 million for the “Community Connectors initiative.”
A play space for Lloyd Park in Langwarrin was listed by Frankston Council officers as a project which will “require further assessment for potential 2026 state election advocacy”. Council will spend $30,000 to investigate the need for rugby facilities in Frankston, with a report due back in mid-2026 so that council can lobby to state candidates.
On the other hand, the report reads council will “reduce advocacy activity” for the $6 million Monterey Reserve Master Plan after failing to secure funding during successive election campaigns. Council’s failure to secure funding for the planned $6 million Nairm Marr Djambana Gathering Place facility upgrade across three election campaigns was also noted. The council officers’ report also listed a series of “historical matched-funding projects removed from Council-led advocacy, requiring further preliminary work or community-led advocacy.”
“Community-led advocacy” will be required to support the Baxter Park Master Plan implementation. “Council will support club-led advocacy for external funding and relevant grant applications, including a potential new hockey facility for Frankston and Peninsula Hockey Clubs. A report will come back to council if the clubs successfully receive external funding,” the report read.
Assessing the Frankston Dolphins Football Netball Club netball court proposal, council officers wrote “council will continue to support club-led advocacy and in the meantime seeks a report back to council by October 2025 to better understand the additional strategic demand for netball facilities.”
Further preliminary work will need be undertaken on the Lisa Beth Mews master plan implementation if it progresses.
The changes to council’s advocacy priorities are expected to result in a future reduction in loan borrowing requirements of approximately $1.9 million. To assist with its advocacy, Frankston Council has committed to a three-year membership with the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula, and will send a delegation to Canberra later this year consisting of the mayor, CEO, and another officer. The Victorian election is expected to take place late next year.
First published in the Frankston Times – 10 June 2025