Business related news across the Mornington Peninsula & Frankston
Nominations for the Frankston Mornington Peninsula Business Excellence Awards 2026 close on 9 October, with winners to be announced at a gala dinner at Frankston Arts Centre in November.
The Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Business Festival 2026 brought regional leaders, exhibitors, keynote speakers and community organisations together at Frankston Arts Centre.
The South East Social Procurement Showcase will bring social enterprises, contractors and community organisations together on 3 September, with visits to projects across Frankston, Mornington and Parkdale.
Mornington Peninsula poultry farms face heightened biosecurity concerns after experts warned H5 bird flu could cause devastating commercial losses.
The Frankston & Mornington Peninsula Business Festival will bring 80 exhibitors to the Frankston Arts Centre on 27 August, with sessions covering regional growth, housing, artificial intelligence, hospitality and workplace wellbeing.
The Mornington Peninsula Small Business Festival continues throughout August, with free and low-cost workshops covering marketing, AI, finance, social media, networking and workplace compliance.
STPL News received a sneak peek inside iPlay Frankston, the company’s first Victorian location, before the new Bayside Centre entertainment venue officially opens from 10am today.
Roccella Lido remains on track for an August opening as new hospitality proposals, returning attractions and further investment reshape the Frankston waterfront.
iPlay Australia will open its first Victorian entertainment centre in Frankston on 30 July, featuring more than 160 arcade games, indoor bumper cars and challenge rooms.
A south-east Melbourne manufacturing group wants an inquiry into Victoria’s land valuation and tax system after members reported steep increases in industrial land tax.
The South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance has called for a Senate inquiry into the Building Cooperative Workplaces Bill, warning the proposed legislation could disadvantage small and medium-sized businesses competing for Commonwealth-funded contracts.
South east manufacturers have warned Victoria’s proposed work-from-home laws could create confusion, workplace tension and job risks for businesses that rely on skilled, on-site labour.
South east manufacturers have used SEMMA’s energy forum to call for gas exploration in Victoria and renewed debate on nuclear power, arguing stable and affordable energy remains critical to local manufacturing jobs.
Frankston Business Chamber has welcomed Frankston City Council’s move to review trader support, de-escalation training and clearer referral pathways for local businesses.
Frankston City Council has dropped a proposed rate hike for long-term vacant shops in the city centre after most respondents opposed the plan. Council had considered a new differential rate set at 300 per cent of the general rate for…
Frankston Business Chamber has welcomed a three-year funding commitment from Frankston City Council, with support to reduce each year as the organisation works toward financial independence by 2028.
Local schools across the Mornington Peninsula were affected as teachers, principals and education support staff joined a statewide strike over pay and conditions.
The Maritime Union of Australia has criticised Searoad Ferries following allegations a passenger assaulted crew and accessed a restricted operational area during a 2024 voyage on the Sorrento–Queenscliff ferry route.
More mobile food vans are coming to Frankston City from 1 June 2026, with Council approving new and returning operators across parks and foreshore locations, including a new Carrum Downs site.
Australia’s cash rate has risen to 3.85 per cent after the Reserve Bank increased rates by 25 basis points. Welfare and consumer advocates warned of deeper financial stress, while CPA Australia and the Somerville Business Group said households and small businesses could face tighter spending and tougher trading conditions.
Frankston’s sister cities trip has delivered millions in proposed investment and new international agreements. Outcomes include a 20 million dollar factory proposal, job creation, education partnerships and strengthened global ties across Japan, China, Fiji and the United States.
Frankston’s transformation is gaining pace, with record business growth, housing projects and investment fuelling its rise as a thriving metropolitan city.
A once-vacant building in the heart of Frankston has been transformed with a bold pink and purple façade, signalling fresh energy for the city centre. The project at 76 Young Street is part of Frankston City Council’s broader plan to revitalise the area, improve safety and walkability, and encourage more people to live, work and invest locally.
Frankston City Council’s mobile food van program is giving local entrepreneurs a chance to turn small ideas into thriving businesses, with success stories like Carrum Downs’ Caravan Chai showing how community support can help start-ups grow nationally.
Project One has opened in Frankston, led by 22-year-old local Josh. The new café is already attracting strong community support, with customers praising its coffee, fresh atmosphere and friendly service. Backed by community, Project One is quickly establishing itself in the city’s hospitality scene.
The Port of Hastings has announced six new directors to its Board, bringing expertise in transport, finance, law and governance. The team will guide the Port Development Strategy and lead delivery of the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal, a project central to Victoria’s renewable energy future and local job creation.
CJ Castle Care in Somerville has collapsed into administration, leaving staff and families in limbo. Director Richard Ingram has revealed his personal bank accounts were frozen. Verified former workers allege unpaid wages, missing superannuation, and clients being relocated before closure.
More former staff have stepped forward after CJ Castle Care’s collapse in Somerville, alleging unpaid wages, unpaid superannuation, and risks for vulnerable NDIS clients.
Twenty-two local businesses have been announced as finalists in the 2025 Mornington Peninsula Business Excellence Awards, showcasing innovation, resilience and community connection across the region. Winners will be revealed at a gala event in November.
CJ Castle Care in Somerville has entered external administration. Verified former staff allege unpaid wages, safety issues and mismanagement, leaving workers and clients facing uncertainty.
Somerville-based disability provider CJ Castle Care has gone into administration, with staff and clients left in limbo. Owner Richard Ingram has deleted all company and personal pages. While Arcadia Sports and Recreation in Hastings remains open, its future is uncertain. Workers are urged to contact unions over unpaid entitlements, and clients can seek urgent support from Amity Care Services in Somerville.
Frankston City Council has handed down its 2025–26 budget, keeping rates below the state cap and delivering a $1.7m Local Support Package. The budget also commits $73m to capital works, including the $60m Frankston Stadium, in what Mayor Kris Bolam says is a direct return of savings to ratepayers.
Small business owners face major legal changes in 2025, including the Right to Disconnect, wage theft penalties, superannuation increases and updated award classifications.
Frankston City Council has approved a $91m redevelopment of the long-vacant former Frankston Cinemas site, delivering 144 apartments and adding to a $506m pipeline of seven major projects transforming the city centre.
The proposed renewable energy terminal at Western Port Bay will undergo full federal environmental assessment after being declared a "controlled action" under the EPBC Act, amid concerns over its impact on Ramsar-listed wetlands and marine life.
Frankston City Council is investing $1.7 million in new support for local businesses under its 2025–26 Budget, with grants, waived fees, more parking and a $50 million CBD upgrade — a clear sign the Council is backing local jobs and economic growth.
Frankston City Council has taken local issues to Canberra, securing national backing for decentralisation, online safety and stronger sister city ties at the ALGA assembly.
Frankston City Council’s latest budget will fund more daily patrols, CCTV upgrades and frontline outreach programs, aiming to make the city centre safer and more supportive for locals.
The Port of Hastings has lodged a revised EPBC referral for its proposed renewable energy terminal within the Western Port Ramsar Wetland, addressing environmental concerns raised by the federal government.
Business leaders gathered at the 2025 Mornington Peninsula Business Excellence Summit, sharing ideas on growth, transport, and sustainability.
Flinders has been shortlisted in the 2025 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards. Public voting is now open until 27 June to help select the winner. Find out how to vote.
The new edition of the Somerville Times is hitting local collection points this Wednesday, with the full digital version available Thursday. Special thanks to CWK Cabinet Makers for their continued support and renewing their sponsorship for the third consecutive year.
Frankston Council is targeting run-down commercial properties in the CBD, issuing fines and notices as part of a major clean-up to support local business and public safety.
Peninsula Building Projects and its director CJ Fulton have been permanently banned by the Victorian Supreme Court after operating without registration, leaving clients thousands out of pocket.
Discover how Shan Rahman and CA are bridging the tech gap for SMEs, offering AI-driven, cloud-based solutions that rival enterprise-grade systems—at a quarter of the cost.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh confirms that paid parking is officially scrapped following public feedback. Read article for full details.
The Tyabb Air Show 2024, hosted by the Peninsula Aero Club (PAC), has been recognised as the Community Event of the Year by Mornington Peninsula Shire. The award highlights the event’s role in supporting local charities, businesses, and the region’s…
Mornington Shire Council has officially scrapped its paid parking policy. Find out why, what’s next, and how locals can have their say.
RPP FM’s popular breakfast show, Scrambled Eggs, marks its 500th episode with a special broadcast from Trofeo Estate. Tune in Thursdays and Fridays, 6am to 9am, on 98.7FM or stream live.
The 14th Mornington Peninsula Film Festival brought near-record crowds to Rosebud, celebrating local and international filmmaking talent. Festival Director Steve Bastoni expressed gratitude for strong community support, ensuring the event's future success.
