PROPERTY owners in Frankston’s CBD are facing court action if they don’t clean up their land. Frankston Council has audited 446 commercial properties in the city centre in the last year. Council officers have identified 65 properties that failed to meet required standards, and have issued formal notices.
In a statement, council said although some property owners had taken action to improve their land, multiple properties remain unsightly and dilapidated. Infringement notices and court action are expected to follow for property owners who do not comply.
Frankston mayor Kris Bolam said the council’s local law states that “property owners must maintain buildings in good repair, and not allow them to become unsightly or dilapidated due to age, neglect, poor maintenance or misuse.” “It’s imperative, at this juncture in Frankston’s transformation from a seaside town to a regional city, that local business owners play their part. With more people choosing to invest, work or live in our city, it’s essential that all property owners, especially those in our city centre, step up to uplift the state of their buildings,” he said. “We don’t want skid row, we want commercial shopfronts that inspire confidence.”
This is the first time council has put the local law into action. Councillor Nathan Butler, who has been spearheading graffiti clean-up proposals this year, said “It’s time for commercial property owners to match the government investment being channelled into our CBD, and to ensure our city centre reflects the best of Frankston City.”
“Governments are heavily investing, and with our Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre structure plan now approved and the cornerstone of our planning laws, private development is taking off in a big way,” he said. “Council will continue a regular ongoing audit program to ensure shopfronts contribute to a vibrant, welcoming CBD, with revenue from infringements being reinvested to support monitoring and compliance.”
To report buildings to council call 1300 322 322, or use the Snap Send Solve app.
First published in the Frankston Times – 10 June 2025