The Frankston Beach Association was formed following a public meeting held in 1982 in 
the Frankston Public Library, then situated in Central Park. This meeting was called to protest against a proposal to build a marina at the bottom of Oliver’s Hill. The room was reportedly packed, with the great majority of those present expressing concern for the potential destruction of the Frankston beaches, should such a development proceed.
Three members of the 2007 Committee were involved in organizing the foundation meeting, namely Margaret Grice, Pat Bentley and Bob Graham. Their tenacity and dedication over twenty five years must be acknowledged.
From this single issue meeting, the aims and objectives of the Frankston Beach Association have expanded over time, to a point where they are now described as: “To assist Frankston City Council to preserve and improve the natural features of the Foreshore Reserve and to develop a higher quality beach environment for the benefit of the local community and visitors”.
The Frankston Foreshore Reserve stretches along the coastline for five kilometres, from Long Island Tennis Club to Kackeraboite Creek. Areas of significant natural flora within this reserve are covered for protection and enhancement, by an Environmental Significant Overlay (ESO1). Importantly and regrettably there is very little natural foreshore remaining along the eastern coastline of Port Phillip Bay.
The most rewarding tasks that have been undertaken by members of the Frankston Beach Association over the last twenty five years have been the revegetation and conservation of the Frankston foreshore reserves. These tasks continue to present a difficult and confronting challenge. Coastal foreshore anywhere is probably one of the most difficult of all terrains in which to establish and maintain vegetation, and when fronting the prevailing westerly weather and in times of long periods of relative drought, as we have experienced for many years, the task is made more difficult and challenging.
The FBA work includes seed collecting, revegetation and protection of the fragile dune system, foreshore planning, public awareness, involving the community in revegetation, sharing expert knowledge, promoting the natural beauty and conservation of Oliver’s Hill and the foreshore, opposing environmentally unsound development of crown land, removing environmental weeds and litter and applying for funds and grants to assist with the above.
Values
The FBA focuses on three main values: Environmental, Social and Recreational.
Environmental values:
- Natural physical features
- Water
- Reefs
- Beach
- Primary & secondary dunes
- Cliff faces (significant vistas)
- Creeks & drains
- Marine life
- Flora & fauna
- Piers & jetties
- Other man made structures.
- Water quality
- Habitat
- Sand & beach
- Preservation, erosion & accretion
- Sand bypassing, beach restoration & maintenance dredging
- Preservation, weeding & planting
- Loss of significant vistas
- Pollution, discharge, rubbish
- Provenance, diversity
- Protection.
Recreational Values
- Swimming, diving, snorkelling
- Public health & well being
- Beach sports, volleyball
- Walking
- Jogging
- Fishing
- Skiffling
- Sailboards & kite boards
- Kyaking & canoeing
- Yachts
- Jet skis
- Power boats
- Picnicking
- Access – beach, walking tracks
- Parking, public transport
- Safety – water, beach, cliffs , reserves
- Unsocial behaviour, drinking, drugs
- Management, policing, local laws
- Separation of non compatible activities
- Pollution – rubbish, oil, noise
- Facilities – changing, water, toilets, disabled
- Essential services – SES, lifesaving, yacht club, anglers
- Mooring & launchingPicnic facilities, tables, seating, shelter, power, lighting.
Social values
- Preservation of public open space
- Access – equality Vs privilege
- Community pride
- Community participation
- History & heritage
- Education
- Fair allocation of public funds & subsidies.
- Loss of public open space
- Access restrictions based on wealth or other privilege
- Community ownership Vs private sector control
- Lack of integrated management
- Financial prudence, justice & responsibility.