A war of words has erupted between Frankston Council and Mr Shaw, with mayor Darrel Taylor accusing the independent MP of putting his agenda ahead of Frankston's needs.

He said Mr Shaw had ignored important local issues including high unemployment, waning investor confidence, the Frankston train station precinct revamp, and the area's high concentration of methadone clinics.

''It's not about what Geoff wants, it's about what Frankston needs and what the community expects.''

Mr Taylor said the council was not engaged with the Liberal-turned-independent MP. ''[Shaw] says there is nothing wrong with Frankston station. He is totally out of touch with Frankston.''

His comments follow Mr Shaw lashing out at council in state parliament last week, saying their concerns about funding for the station precinct were unfounded.

''I think the council has been exceptionally lazy in making those comments with regard to the Frankston station precinct, and it should just get back to picking up rubbish, mowing lawns and fixing fences,'' Mr Shaw told Parliament.

Mr Taylor sought Liberal Party preselection for the marginal state seat of Frankston earlier this year, but was beaten by Sean Armistead.

The mayor said private sector confidence in Frankston was weakening, with $220 million of council-approved commercial and residential developments ''sitting in the ground dormant''.

He said council was doing ''a lot of the heavy lifting'' and had invested $50 million into the city centre over five years.

''We are not very engaged with Geoff Shaw,'' Mr Taylor said.

''Any local member should be closely engaged with their local government so they can have a very good understanding of the issues and the community's expectations.''

Mr Shaw released a statement on Thursday calling for a ''sensible approach'' to an overhaul of Frankston station, which was a 2010 Coalition election promise.

He criticised Mr Taylor's calls for $150 million to revamp the area, saying he had already secured $13.8 million for the project.

Angry locals say the government revamp is mainly cosmetic and does not address issues in the area.

Mr Shaw did not provide a comment.