‘Green light’ for revitalisation of a Frankston City Centre gateway
Published on 30 July 2021
Works are underway on a significant greening initiative at a key gateway to the Frankston City Centre.
Mayor Kris Bolam said as part of Frankston City Council’s City Centre Greening Program, significant landscape improvements are underway on the north and south sides of the Fletcher Rd overpass.
“The Fletcher Rd area has been identified as a key area for greening based on Council’s commitment to deliver sustainable, integrated, high quality, resilient and economically viable public spaces.
“In addition to improving the experience of the area, tree planting will contribute to Council’s commitment to increasing our urban forest tree canopy and Greening our Future Strategy,” Mayor Bolam said.
Works include new garden beds featuring indigenous plants, trees, a new smart irrigation system, new seating and design elements to improve storm water quality and drainage.
South Ward Cr Claire Harvey added that existing pedestrian paths will be retained for access.
“The greening project is part of an initiative to also improve the experience and sense of safety at the Fletcher Road gateway through the introduction of creative lighting and public art to the underpass,” Cr Harvey said.
The total project cost is $550,000 with a $250,000 State Government contribution towards the creative lighting and art. Stage one greening (north side) is now complete and Stage two (south side) will commence in April 2022 during autumn. Lighting and public art will be completed as part of Stage 3 by July 2022.
The State Member for Frankston, Paul Edbrooke MP, said: “This is yet another amazing project that Frankston City Council and State Government have worked on to deliver for Frankston.
“Revitalising this gateway to our city, in line with a rolling pipeline of many other projects, is part of our combined vision to improve amenities, perceptions of Frankston and community safety,” Mr Edbrooke said.
The Fletcher Rd greening project will be complemented by work to transform an existing open space nearby on the corner of Evelyn St and Fletcher Rd into an exciting ‘pocket park’ for the community to enjoy.
The Evelyn Pocket Park project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Local Parks Program: New Pocket Parks Round 2, which provided $1.3 million for the new park on vacant Council-owned land opposite Frankston Police Station.
The park will include an amphitheatre and elevated performance space, a rainforest garden incorporating water sensitive urban design principles, planted arbours, footpath connections to Nepean Highway and Fletcher Road, seating and solar lighting, as well as an informal play area and grassed recreation areas. It also includes barbecues, a drinking fountain, bike hoops, a sculpture and references to local Indigenous culture.
The pocket of land at 17-21 Evelyn St, Frankston, was rezoned from a mixed use zone to a public park and recreation zone in November last year, following a public consultation process during which Council did not receive any community objections.
Cr Harvey said the two projects highlight Council’s commitment to delivering great open space outcomes that will benefit the health and wellbeing of our community for years to come.
“Both the ‘pocket park’ and gateway greening project will be wonderful assets that contribute to a greener environment as well as an open space in the heart of Frankston City,” Cr Harvey said.
Work on the ‘pocket park’ project is expected to commence in October this year and be opened to the public by March 2022.
For information about either project, please email capworks@frankston.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 322 322.