FRANKSTON and Kingston Councils have signed an agreement to meet regularly and collaborate on future projects.
The “Nepean Partnership” was officially signed off by Frankston and Kingston councillors at their respective public meetings last week. The proposed partnership originally included the Mornington Peninsula Shire, which ultimately declined to sign up amid a bitter fallout with Frankston Council (Canberra trip sparks conflict, The News 26/8/25).
A report on the partnership prepared by Frankston Council officers read that “decisions and communications are to be made collaboratively, ensuring transparency and shared ownership of outcomes.”
“A Partnership Steering Group, comprising each council’s mayor, CEO and key officers, will oversee implementation and progress,” the report read.
“The steering group will meet quarterly, with secretariat duties rotating annually between the councils. Both councillor groups and executive teams will meet annually to review progress and endorse future priorities.”
The partnership proposal has been championed by Frankston mayor Cr Kris Bolam, who said “we know whenever there’s a change of government, or there’s a swing against the government, the sand belt of the south-east metro region of Melbourne is where it happens. I think strategically being allied with a council that runs along that Nepean stretch is politically and strategically advantageous”.
“Governments are giving less and less money to local councils, and we need to pool and we need to advocate together with other councils,” Bolam said.
“I’m delighted that our Kingston colleagues can see the benefits of this relationship and I appreciate councillors’ support in finalising this agreement. I think it’s a good thing and in time I’m sure it’ll take many new forms, but this is a start and the task now is to make it work.”
All but two Kingston councillors voted to sign off on the partnership. Cr Sarah O’Donnell, who spoke in favour of the proposal, said “I’m a strong believer that many hands make light work.
“If we can come together, there is absolutely no fallout and there is no financial obligation. It is a promise to each other that we will work together to find the best outcomes,” she said.
“When we work together to resolve issues we will be so much more successful. So when we are looking at our next door neighbours down the beach, let’s lead by example. Let’s show Bayside and Mornington Peninsula that you guys can come on board.”
Frankston Council’s report noted that the “Nepean Partnership Agreement does not create a legally binding relationship between the participating councils.
“Councils must ensure that all collaboration, information sharing and joint advocacy occur within the legislative framework governing confidentiality, conflicts of interest, procurement, and the use of public resources. Any future shared projects arising from the partnership that involve funding, service delivery or asset ownership would require separate, legally binding agreements endorsed by each council.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 4 November 2025