The city covered an area of 70.96 square kilometres (27.4 sq mi) in and around Frankston, and existed from 1860 until 1994.

Parts of Mount Eliza were transferred to the newly created Shire of Mornington Peninsula.

[4] Some changes occurred between the release of the Local Government Board report in July 1994 and the actual amalgamation; the original plan was to merge Frankston with the City of Chelsea, and take Braeside and Carrum Downs from the City of Springvale.

However, Frankston City Council submitted that it should expand eastwards instead, as well as taking Mount Eliza and Baxter.

The City of Frankston was divided into four wards, each of which elected three councillors: * Council seat.