UP to $10 million in ratepayer funding is set to be put towards a project to transform Nepean Highway and surrounding pedestrian areas.
Frankston Council ticked off a “Nepean Boulevard Precinct Revitalisation” masterplan in early 2025, outlining a series of projects to improve the road and its surrounds. Proposed works include intersection upgrades at Overton Road; the redevelopment of the Kananook Creek Gateway; upgrades at Davey and Fletcher Streets prioritising pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport; Ring Road safety improvements; central median greening; use of the Comfort Station; construction of shared user paths linking Olivers Hill, the Bay Trail, and Frankston Waterfront; and initiatives to improve vehicle flow and safety adjacent to the Mechanics Hall.
In the leadup to the last election, the federal government promised $50 million towards Nepean Highway upgrades. In a statement released last week, Frankston Council promised to contribute $10 million on top of that “contingent on a precinct-wide scope that maximises community benefit and delivers value for taxpayers.”
Frankston mayor Kris Bolam said that council would spend money on the project “because we believe in the transformational potential of Nepean Highway. We want a genuine seat at the table and we want to help deliver a safer, greener and more welcoming corridor for our community.”
“This isn’t just about improving one intersection – it’s about improving safety for motorists, public transport, pedestrians and cyclists along the entire length of the highway through our bustling city centre. With $60 million, we can transform Nepean Highway into a green boulevard that encourages visitors to stop in Frankston, not just drive through it. By integrating urban forest canopy targets and spaces for activation, we’ll deliver shade, comfort and opportunities for public life to support a thriving economy and CBD,” the mayor said.
Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke said he “welcomes the continued collaboration between all levels of government as we work through the details of this important project.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 9 December 2025