THE Frankston Community Connectors pilot program will be expanding into the city’s busiest retail precincts, continuing their mission to provide support to vulnerable community members and improve safety.
This initiative, which is a collaboration between Frankston City Council, South East Community Links, Metro Trains, and now Vicinity Centres, aims to address social issues such as anti-social behaviour, mental health crises, homelessness, and substance abuse.
Initially launched in November 2024 as part of the Young Street Action Plan, the purple-vested social workers currently help provide people with advice, assistance, and referrals to services in the Frankston station and Young Street area.
There will now be additional Community Connectors who will operate in Station Street Mall and Shannon Mall, which was made possible thanks to a new partnership with Vicinity Centres, the operator of Bayside Shopping Centre.
Vicinity Centres Bayside Centre Manager, Emily Curcio, emphasised the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive space. “We are proud to co-fund this initiative, extending the Community Connectors outreach program into Station Street and Shannon Mall right on our doorstep in the heart of Frankston,” she said.
Since January 2025, the program has made significant impact, including 1450 community engagements, 340 harm-prevention interactions, and 185 referrals to essential support services.
Frankston City deputy mayor Steffie Conroy said the program marks a shift towards long-term, collaborative solutions rather than punitive measures.
“The pilot has shown that rather than shifting problems from one location to another, it’s possible to target the root causes of social harm while creating a greater sense of safety in this busy part of the city centre,” she said.
South East Community Links CEO Peter McNamara highlighted the success of assertive outreach and the power of partnerships in improving public safety. “This extension into retail strips builds on the proven success with Metro Trains at Frankston Station, highlighting the importance of strong partnerships in creating safer, more supportive communities,” McNamara said.
In addition to the outreach program, Frankston City Council is supporting local traders by releasing the Trader Support Directory. It will be available in both print and online and will provide business owners with information about emergency services, agency roles and responsibilities. The directory will encourage community-based reporting while providing centre traders with guidance on how to deal with issues such as graffiti removal and anti-social behaviour.
With continued backing and growth, the Community Connectors program is set to enhance the safety and well-being of Frankston’s city centre and create a more supportive environment for traders and visitors.
First published in the Frankston Times – 14 October 2025