In the “Your Questions answered” section of the Frankston Council’s “Housing Strategy” web page[1] that Frankston’s population will increase by 20,000, curiously, no time period over which this projected increase is to occur is given. 20,000 represents one extra inhabitant for every seven of the current 141,002 inhabitants of Frankston. [2] In contrast, at the start of the YouTube video “Frankston City Council Metropolitan Actvity Centre (FMAC) Structure Plan” [3] released in September 2022, it is stated that Melbourne’s population is set to more than double in the next 30 years.

So, why the apparent discrepancy, unless, Frankston Council is now trying to downplay the amount by which they expect the population of Frankston to increase?

However, it is clear that even Frankston Council accepts that an increase, even by ‘only’ 1 in 7, necessitates changes to planning zones, that is allowing, or forcing, owners of free-standing homes to sell their properties to be converted into high-rise developments. Neighbourhoods will become ever more crowded and more congested, whilst those still living in free-standing homes will be hit with ever higher council rates as their property valuations rise.

Those who are now struggling to pay mortgages and rent, can only expect worse as the cost of housing gets higher from greater demand. The same will occur for other living expenses including medication, education, petrol, electricity, gas and other services, as higher demand can only drive prices up. Given that ever more agricultural land stands to be lost to urban development, the price of food could increase to an even greater extent, over and above expected losses due to climate change.

Native bushland and other recreation areas will become more scarce.

Why add to Melbourne’s traffic congestion?

Melbourne’s infamous traffic congestion, together with crowding in public transport can only become worse if the population of all of Melbourne, including that of Frankston, continues to grow.

High-rise living unhealthy, uninsurable and wastes energy

Most multi-storey apartments require additional energy, whether for lifts, air-conditioning and clothes drying, and limit the exposure to fresh air, grass and vegetation, for children and pets to play in. In addition, insurers currently do not insure any appartment building in Victoria more than three stories high.

When were Frankston residents ever consulted about whether to increase our population?

The stated purpose of today’s `community consultation’ is only to discuss how Frankston can adapt to having an additional 20,000 inhabitants (or a good many more according to the Video linked to in footnote 3) not whether or not the Frankston Council should oppose that population increase.

In the “Your Questions Answered’ section of the “Housing Strategy” web page states, the question is put­:

Can we stop Frankston City’s population growth and residential development?

The given answer is:

No. The housing strategy cannot stop housing growth and change, however it can manage this growth and change and direct it to areas where there are better services and transport access, and fewer constraints (areas of high environmental value, flooding, bushfire).

… which does not even answer the question! Surely, in a democracy, if the people wish to oppose an increase in population size in order to preserve their quality of life, that have a right to do so.

Frankston Council should be trying to uphold that right and not be facilitating yet more overcrowding, whilst ostensibly managing that overcrowding.

For further information

See https://candobetter.net

Footnotes

1. https://engage.frankston.vic.gov.au/housing-strategy

2. 141,002 was the 2022 estimate. See https://profile.id.com.au/frankston

3. FMAC Structure Plan at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqR3L7KVyOU