MAJOR developments in Frankston will be “fast-tracked” within 16 weeks under a new council plan.
From 31 January next year, Frankston Council is expected to implement guaranteed 16-week planning assessments for qualifying major developments. In a statement council says it will offer developers “enhanced pre-application guidance” and “dedicated post-permit concierge support” to expedite the approval process.
Frankston mayor Kris Bolam said that the new planning initiative would encourage developers to build housing in Frankston. “The Priority Fasttrack Program sends a clear message: Frankston City is open for business. We’re giving investors confidence and bringing new development to market faster — one of only a handful of councils statewide offering this level of certainty,” he said.
“Frankston is a recognised metropolitan activity centre, with nearly 1000 new city-centre apartments in the pipeline, significant buyer interest, and major public and private investments transforming our city. We’re proud to be putting in place the settings that support our city’s growth while helping residents take that crucial first step towards home ownership.”
The population of the Frankston municipality is projected to grow beyond 150,000 residents by 2051 – council is hoping to support building 33,000 new homes before then. In April council’s FMAC Structure Plan was approved by the state government, implementing height limits of up to 16 storeys in Frankston’s city centre.
Urban DC – the developer responsible for the Horizon development at 1 Plowman Place and the under-construction 14 storey building at 446-450 Nepean Highway, has flagged its approval of the new council policy. Its director Danny Ciarma said “certainty and speed in planning are critical. Frankston City Council’s new Priority Development Program will give developers confidence to invest, plan and deliver. Frankston City is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting growth destinations in Victoria.”
The expedited approval process was announced last week alongside a council-funded subsidy program set to be made available to first-home buyers.
Eligible first-home buyers in Frankston will be able to apply for a council-funded $1000 subsidy from 1 July next year.
The one-off $1000 “First Home Buyer Subsidy” payment for home buyers purchasing a property within the Frankston municipality can be accessed alongside the state government’s $10,000 first home owner grant, and the federal government’s five percent deposit scheme.
Frankston mayor Kris Bolam said the subsidy is the first of its kind amongst Victorian councils. “We’re backing local residents with Victoria’s first local government first home buyer subsidy. We don’t want our own residents priced out of the housing market, and at a time of mortgage stress and cost-of-living pressures, every little bit helps,” Bolam said.
“We want every first time buyer to be able to achieve the dream of housing affordability. It shouldn’t be a dream, it should be a reality.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 2 December 2025