Council calls for city shaping Nepean Boulevard funding
Published on 12 April 2022
Frankston City Council is calling on Federal and State candidates in this year’s elections to help fund a $37 million revitalisation of the Nepean Highway to transform the busy thoroughfare into a pedestrian friendly destination complementing Frankston’s city centre.
Mayor Nathan Conroy said:
“Frankston’s city centre is ripe for revitalisation and long-term strategic planning work is already underway to reimagine our city centre, making it more pedestrian friendly and encouraging people to linger in the city.
“A key part of this work involves Council’s bold vision of transforming Nepean Highway into a pedestrian friendly beachside boulevard be-fitting of the lifestyle destination that is Frankston.
“The Nepean Boulevard is an important opportunity for Frankston – it’s our shopfront window with a coastline catchment of 800,000 people annually and we need to put our best foot forward. We’re appealing to candidates in the upcoming federal and state elections for their support for this important city shaping project.
“The iconic avenue of fig trees, the Clock Tower, the legendary intersection of Davey Street and Nepean Highway with its live music venues and eateries all deserve to be highlighted and celebrated.
Council priorities for the Nepean Boulevard project include:
Transforming Nepean Boulevard to a vibrant pedestrian focused precinct with wider footpaths, more trees, new lighting, street furniture and areas for walking, outdoor dining and activation. Paired with lower speed limits and the addition of new cycling lanes for a calmer traffic environment that prioritises pedestrians over vehicles.
Better connections from the city centre across Nepean Boulevard to Frankston’s famous foreshore and Kananook Creek with additional crossing points, extended pavements at intersections, reduction of traffic lanes and reduced signal time lengths.
Improved active transport connections with the addition of new bike lanes linking to an expanding network of cycling opportunities.
“Council has already begun work with the Victorian Government Department of Transport and the Frankston Revitalisation Board to deliver immediate revitalisation works along Nepean Highway including expanded outdoor dining, 19 new parklets and decorative median tree lighting,” said the Mayor.
“We’ve seen how successful these small-scale interventions can be – it’s now time to take it to the next level and make the highway a destination in itself to boost the local economy and support recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Council is already developing a Nepean Boulevard Master Vision with community engagement currently underway as part of the Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre (FMAC) Structure Plan.
The bold vision is expected to be finalised by August 2022 with the project focusing on the Nepean Highway central corridor from Fletcher Road to Davey Street. Improvements to the user experience along Nepean Highway from Mile Bridge through to the iconic Olivers Hill lookout are also part of the vision.
Council’s advocacy efforts are part of the Council Plan to ensure Frankston City has a thriving economy and healthy, safe and connected community.
To find out more about Frankston City Council’s plans for a revitalised city centre visit: engage.frankston.vic.gov.au/Frankston_City_Centre
To stay up to date with Frankston City Council’s advocacy efforts visit: frankston.vic.gov.au/advocacy