Council adopts 2022 flagship election advocacy priority projects
Published on 22 November 2021
Frankston City is on the move!
Our vibrant municipality is of the fastest growing regions of Australia and as the population grows, Frankston City Council continues to advocate for vital infrastructure and essential projects to meet community needs and expectations.
With a Federal election expected in early 2022 (date to be announced) and a State election on 26 November 2022, a diverse range of initiatives requiring Council-led advocacy have been identified in order to seek State and Federal Government funding contributions.
Councillors voted unanimously at their 15 November Council Meeting to adopt five key flagship advocacy priorities requiring a dedicated advocacy campaign for the upcoming federal and state elections.
The projects include:
- A bigger and better Pines Forest Aquatic Centre at Frankston North (indicative project cost $31 million).
- A District Basketball and Gymnastics Stadium creating state-of-the-art district basketball and gymnastics facilities at Frankston Basketball Stadium (indicative project cost $45 million).
- Expanding our access to recycled water to deliver more sustainable water sources for the irrigation of local parklands, reserves and sports grounds by expanding the recycled water infrastructure network (indicative projects cost $6 million).
- A District Playground in Carrum Downs to establish a new district playground at Sandfield Reserve, delivering a playground upgrade, barbecue and picnic area, fitness equipment, public events space, youth space and extended skate park, public toilets, drainage and ecology projects (indicative project cost $4 million).
- Frankston Regional Arts Trail featuring a 7.4km immersive arts and cultural trail from Frankston Foreshore to McClelland Sculpture Park+Gallery, connecting to existing regional cycling and nature trails (indicative project cost $6 million).
Outgoing Mayor Kris Bolam said the projects have been well researched and are backed by feasibility studies, business cases and Master Planning, strengthened with in-depth community consultation.
“Council is committed to these flagship priority projects, which we’ve shown by committing $30.2 million funding towards delivering these five projects. In order for these projects to proceed, we need to secure financial contributions from State and Federal Governments
“We’re asking for $31.4 million from State Government and $29.8 million from Federal Government. Council has already undertaken extensive advocacy action on behalf of the Frankston City community, including meeting with over 30 Federal Ministers and Shadow Ministers in Canberra and meetings with various State Ministers and Shadow Ministers to influence decision-making that will benefit our community.
“We look forward to joining lobbying forces with key stakeholders and our local community to ensure Frankston City gets the funding it deserves to have a prosperous future,” Cr Bolam said.
New Mayor Nathan Conroy said Council will be hosting a series of events at various locations across the municipality to promote these priorities and garner broader community support in lobbying state and federal Members of Parliament and candidates.
Mayor Conroy said: “We’ve been having conversations with our local Members of Parliament and candidates about these and a range of other projects and have early indications of support for these projects.
“While the identified priorities have been limited in order to provide a succinct and prioritised list for Members of Parliament and candidates, there are other ongoing opportunities to advocate for funding.”
Council CEO Phil Cantillon said: “Council-led advocacy to State and Federal Governments and other stakeholders is vital for securing essential funding towards local projects and influencing decision-making to drive change on behalf of the Frankston City community.”
In June, Councillors voted unanimously to adopt the Future Ready Frankston advocacy priorities.
Council received 214 responses, with Council’s 2021 - 2025 Future Ready Frankston Advocacy Campaign formally adopted, focusing on the following strategic themes:
Investing in our prosperity: Facilitating new and improved job, education, tourism and recreational opportunities connected by diverse travel options.
Enhancing our environment and liveability: Delivering a range of policies, strategies and works to preserve and enhance our natural environment.
Strengthening our community: Collaborating with government, clients and key stakeholders to deliver improved social inclusion, health, wellbeing and resilience of our community.
Council’s newly-established Frankston City Stakeholder Group aims to inform our ongoing priorities and works collaboratively to advocate for key projects to State and Federal Governments.
The Frankston City Stakeholder Group was launched with an online event in October with close to 50 participants attending including representatives from a diverse range of community groups such as men’s sheds, 3199 Beach Patrol, Committee for Greater Frankston and Monash University.