The Australian Sand Sculpting Championships are returning to Frankston Waterfront, where 400 tonnes of sand will be transformed into large-scale sculptures, interactive attractions and family-friendly activities.
A vacant shop at Bayside Shopping Centre will be converted into a pop-up street art studio from 19–22 March as part of the 2026 Frankston Street Art Festival, with tours, workshops and a post-festival silent auction.
Frankston City Council has released its “Frankston City First” advocacy priorities ahead of the 2026 Victorian state election, seeking $17.05 million for pavilions, shared paths, public spaces and support services across Frankston, Carrum and Hastings.
Frankston City Council has opened applications for its 2026–27 Destination Event Attraction Program, offering a $250,000 funding pool to support new and returning destination events in the city.
Frankston City Council has been recognised as an Established Welcoming City under the Welcoming Cities program after a national accreditation assessment that returned a score of 4.4 out of 5.
Roccella Lido will open at the Frankston Yacht Club in August 2026, ending a decade-long vacancy and bringing a new Italian waterfront dining venue to Frankston’s foreshore.
Frankston locals have been recognised in the 2026 Citizens of the Year awards, with community work across coastal protection, youth wellbeing and free legal support celebrated at Frankston Arts Centre.
Frankston Mayor Sue Baker has met with Japan’s Consul-General to discuss the Frankston–Susono sister city relationship, ongoing student exchanges and opportunities to strengthen cultural and education links.
Frankston City Council says Tennille Bradley has officially started as its new chief executive officer, marking a milestone as the first female CEO in Council history.
Frankston’s Waterfront Festival will return to the foreshore on 6–7 February 2026, with a $95,000 Revive Live funding boost supporting Australian performers and improved accessibility updates, including large LED screens for real-time information and safety messaging.
Frankston City Council has announced a $2.85 million electrification project at PARC and the arts and library precinct, aimed at reducing emissions and cutting long-term energy costs.
Frankston City councillors have elected Cr Sue Baker as Mayor and Cr Cherie Wanat as Deputy Mayor for 2025–26, creating the city’s first all-female leadership team alongside incoming CEO Tennille Bradley. The new leaders have flagged housing, cost-of-living pressures and aged care reforms as key priorities for the year ahead.
Outgoing mayor Kris Bolam has used his final statement to reinforce that Frankston has taken a bold leap into the 21st century, highlighting record investment, governance reforms and city shaping projects as he ends a record 1,116 days in the role.
Frankston City councillors have elected Cr Sue Baker as Mayor and Cr Cherie Wanat as Deputy Mayor, marking a new leadership team after a “phenomenal year” and a high bar set by outgoing Mayor Kris Bolam.
Frankston’s skyline is set to shift after councillors approved three Nepean Highway towers worth $137 million, adding 312 apartments, new shops and offices, and helping pave the way for the city’s first new hotel in 15 years.
Frankston City Council has formalised a Nepean Partnership with Kingston City Council on the eve of the mayoral vote, leaving the next Mayor to turn the new framework, and a year of partnership-driven projects, into concrete results for locals.
Frankston parents have secured a major overhaul of the local kinder enrolment system, with new rules to keep children at the same centre, stronger sibling priority and extra places created through upgrades in Frankston South, Seaford and Langwarrin.
Using ramps, beach matting and wheelchairs, Frankston’s new accessible beach pilot is opening the foreshore to locals who have not been able to reach the water for years. The three month trial aims to set a fresh benchmark for inclusive coastal access in Australia.
Frankston’s newly rebranded Christmas Festival drew huge crowds on Saturday, with strong police presence, positive behaviour and no reported incidents. Council says the name change reflects a stronger focus on community connection.
Frankston City Council has addressed community concern over alleged illegal vegetation removal and unauthorised foreshore works, confirming investigations with DEECA and urging residents to report suspected breaches.
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 has raised more than $220,000 to support the Australia’s Most Accessible Beach pilot and local causes. Nearly thirty organisations contributed to the community-driven effort.
Frankston City Council has unveiled new measures to support first-home buyers and speed up major developments, becoming the first municipality in Victoria to offer a local first-home buyer subsidy. The reforms include a $1,000 payment for eligible buyers and a 16-week fast-track planning pathway designed to boost supply, increase investor certainty and help residents stay in the market.
Frankston City Council has awarded $57,000 to ten community organisations in a new funding round under its Local Support Package, supporting emergency relief, wellbeing programs and outreach services across the municipality.
Frankston Mayor Kris Bolam has been awarded the MAV Mayor Emeritus title, with former Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Graham Pittock praising his leadership and regional partnership efforts.
Frankston will welcome the festive season on 29 November with the Christmas Festival of Light, featuring markets, live entertainment, a parade, rides, a European Christmas Village and a 9.15 pm tree lighting and fireworks finale.
Frankston has been named Victoria’s Tidy City for 2025, with multiple environmental and community awards recognising local programs, volunteer partnerships and sustainability initiatives across the city.
Frankston City Council has confirmed a full redevelopment of the long-closed Moto Park in Seaford. The operator-funded project is expected to deliver jobs, major events and a modern off-road venue that will attract families and young riders from Frankston and the broader Mornington Peninsula.
Frankston City Council has appointed Tennille Bradley as its new Chief Executive Officer — the first woman to hold the position. She will begin in January 2026, bringing extensive experience in major-project delivery, urban transformation and economic development from her leadership role at the City of Greater Geelong.
Frankston’s transformation is gaining pace, with record business growth, housing projects and investment fuelling its rise as a thriving metropolitan city.
Frankston and Mornington Peninsula councillors will soon decide who leads their councils — not through a public vote, but an internal one. We’re asking readers who they’d elect if given the choice.
Frankston City Council has granted a 50-year lease to Nairm Marr Djambana at Jubilee Park, marking a major milestone in its long-term plan to strengthen cultural inclusion, reconciliation, and community connection.
Frankston City Council will transition to a shared Community Care delivery model from June 2026, maintaining essential programs like Meals on Wheels while ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
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 has unveiled the Ballam Park Heritage Trail — a new self-guided walk celebrating the city’s cultural heritage, community spirit and historical milestones.
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.
Frankston City Council has strengthened its reputation for effective advocacy, securing five wins at the MAV State Council on housing, transparency, and worker protections — further positioning the city as a leader in local government reform.
Frankston Council will add $150,000 per year to a new Emergency Disaster Fund, a proactive move to boost local disaster recovery and climate resilience.
Frankston’s city centre is set to become more accessible with the reopening of the Frankston House Car Park on 15 October. The upgraded facility beneath Moon Dog Brewery offers 49 public spaces with the first two hours free, operating daily from 7am to 11pm and fully monitored by CCTV. The project supports local business growth and forms part of Frankston City Council’s broader plan to revitalise Nepean Highway and boost city centre activity.
Frankston City Council is taking a firm stance on hoon gatherings and illegal monkey bike use, partnering with Victoria Police to keep local streets safe this summer.
Frankston City Council is expanding youth programs across the municipality, placing young people at the centre of planning and delivery. The move follows the $750,000 upgrade of the Langwarrin Skate Park, a project shaped by youth feedback and funded in…
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.
Centenary Park Golf Course will be managed by Peninsula Leisure, a wholly Council-owned organisation, from July 2026, with Frankston City Council assuring a smooth transition and ongoing community access.
Frankston’s Great Pet-Together returns to Ballam Park on 12 October with dachshund races, goat yoga, pup cup contests, pet markets and food trucks — a free day out for families and pets.
Frankston locals will have the chance to meet Mayor Kris Bolam, Jodie Belyea MP and Paul Edbrooke MP at the Pollies BBQ on Saturday 15 November at Ballam Park.
Frankston City Council has doubled graffiti patrols, slashed response times and introduced a $10,000 cash bounty program to help the community crack down on vandalism.
Frankston families will see safer and cooler play spaces after Council doubled shade funding, pledging $400,000 over four years. The investment follows a statewide award for Frankston’s Play Strategy, with recent upgrades across Carrum Downs, Frankston, Skye and Seaford, and more playgrounds scheduled for 2025–26.
Frankston City Council has unveiled its 2025–26 “Stronger Together” budget, delivering $1.7m in household relief, $465k in business support and nearly $73m in capital works — all while keeping average rates among the lowest in the region.
Frankston City Council has allocated $425,000 in funding for local relief agencies in 2025–26, supporting organisations that provide food relief, housing assistance, mental health services and more. See the full list of recipients and how to access help.
Mornington Peninsula Mayor Anthony Marsh has been the Shire’s most expensive and least performing councillor during the 2020–2024 term. With high allowances, costly trips and few resident requests lodged, his record raises questions of value for ratepayers — especially in light of his criticism of Frankston’s mayor and claims about spending not passing the pub test.
