Frankston City Council has dropped what it calls a “Stronger Together” budget for 2025–26 — and for many locals, it is an absolute “banger”. The $73 million plan promises household relief, business support and major investment, all while keeping average rates among the lowest in the region.
Mayor Cr Kris Bolam JP said the council was tuned in to the rising cost of living, from groceries to mortgages.
“Council understands this and we’re acting to ease the burden where we can,” he said.
$1.7 million Local Support Package
The centrepiece is a $1.7 million Local Support Package, designed to ease the squeeze on households and community organisations.
Highlights include:
- Ratepayer Rewards: pick between $30 off a hard-waste collection, a free swim at PARC (or membership upgrade), or a $30 Frankston Arts Centre voucher.
- Grants and subsidies: $337,000 for local relief organisations and $258,000 in waived fees such as play-group venues and pet registrations.
- Community safety: funding for Neighbourhood Watch, a second Rapid Response Team and more Community Connectors.
- Youth and school support: inclusion grants and a legal clinic for students.
- Recreation and wellbeing: subsidies for physical activity and a new disability-friendly beach.
- Events and tourism: expanded festivals, including Frankston City’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
- Business backing: $465,000 for grants and partnerships with local business groups.
Council is also growing 1,400 trees to give away to residents in Autumn 2026.
Rates, levies and comparisons
Council has capped its total rates income increase at 3 per cent, but a new differential rate on vacant and land-banked properties means the actual increase for households averages just 2.24 per cent and 1.12 per cent for commercial ratepayers.
The average rate per property in Frankston is $1,831.88 — below the regional average of $1,969.24.
But there’s one sting in the tail. A new State Government charge — the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) — replaces the Fire Services Property Levy. For Frankston households, that’s an average rise of $67.98, or 34 per cent. Council has joined a Municipal Association of Victoria push to have the levy scrapped.
See our earlier coverage: Frankston Council passes on budget savings to ratepayers
Building for the future
On top of immediate relief, the budget invests nearly $73 million in capital works. Projects range from the Frankston Stadium and early-years facilities at Langwarrin and Seaford to LED street-light upgrades, new play spaces, car parks and the Nepean Boulevard revitalisation.
Funding is also locked in for roads, drainage, building maintenance, waste and recycling, libraries, youth services, maternal and child health, and in-home care.
Mayor Bolam said the budget was about “providing immediate relief while continuing to plan responsibly for the future”.
