Frankston City Council has formalised a new Nepean Partnership with Kingston City Council on the eve of tonight’s mayoral vote, adding another piece to a growing focus on working with neighbouring councils and other tiers of government.
The agreement sets out shared priorities along the Nepean corridor and is intended to support joint advocacy, coordinated funding bids and cross-border projects that affect residents in both municipalities. It comes at the end of Mayor Kris Bolam’s term, with the next leadership team to decide how strongly to pursue and expand the framework.
Nepean Partnership Aligns Priorities Along The Corridor
The Nepean Partnership is designed to bring Frankston and Kingston together on planning and investment along the Nepean corridor, including key sections of Nepean Highway and surrounding precincts.
According to Council, the partnership is expected to:
- Align long term priorities for the corridor
- Support joint applications to state and federal funding programs
- Provide a clearer framework for projects that cross the municipal boundary, such as transport upgrades, streetscape improvements and economic activation
Council has linked the agreement to existing work on the Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre and plans to improve streetscapes, walking and cycling connections, and traffic flows through the city centre and along the bay.
The Partnership originally included the Mornington Peninsula Shire, however MPSC withdrew under Marsh’s leadership.
Timing Puts Focus On Mayoral Handover
The formalisation of the Nepean Partnership comes as councillors prepare to elect Frankston’s next leadership team at the Civic Centre tonight.
Councillors are scheduled to vote at 7 pm on the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2025–26 term. Whoever is elected will take charge of the new partnership with Kingston, alongside a wide range of programs built around cost of living support, city-shaping projects, environmental enforcement, and international links.
The next Mayor will be responsible for overseeing the early stages of the Nepean Partnership and working with Kingston on how it is turned into concrete projects and priorities along the corridor.
Part Of A Broader “Modern City” Agenda
Council has grouped the Nepean Partnership with several other initiatives it describes as part of a “modern city building” agenda based on collaboration.
Recent announcements have highlighted:
- A proposed Housing Acceleration Taskforce involving all levels of government, intended to link community housing providers with surplus land and support financially viable, community-focused housing projects
- A regional tourism alignment through the Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board, which Council says will strengthen the visitor economy, support major events and encourage new hotel investment
- Growing international business links, with the Frankston Business Chamber working on sister-chamber arrangements intended to open up overseas markets for local businesses
Together with the Stronger Together Budget and previously announced projects on Nepean Highway and in the arts precinct, Council has presented these measures as part of Frankston’s shift towards a more regional city role.
What Happens Next At Frankston City Council
Tonight’s vote will decide who leads Frankston City Council through the next 12 months as the Nepean Partnership and other initiatives move from announcement into delivery.
The new Mayor and Deputy Mayor will weigh the partnership with Kingston against other commitments, including:
- The $304.82 million Stronger Together Budget
- Ongoing cost of living and local support measures
- Major projects in the city centre and along the foreshore
- Community care reforms and environmental enforcement
STPL News will publish an update on the outcome of the mayoral vote and the new leadership team once the decision has been confirmed. After a year of partnership-based projects and major announcements, whoever steps into the Mayoral role will have big shoes to fill.
