As predicted last week in TWiSK, the Port Phillip Community Safety roundtable met last Wednesday at the St Kilda Town Hall.
Chaired by Ian Gray, the roundtable was attended by Victoria Police and 20 service providers. Councillors attended the final session.
What actually happened at the event is still a mystery, as the agenda or briefing documents have never been made public. Nor were any media or independent observers invited.
In a statement, Mayor Louise Crawford said attendees were asked by the Chair about what more the Council could do to make our community safer.
The Mayor said the participants’ conversations, ideas, and submissions will inform Mr. Gray’s report, expected to be tabled at a Council Meeting on 21 May.
The Council also withheld the list of participating organisations until after the event in an effort (unofficially described) as a precaution to shield the attendees from unwanted attention (aka online trolling).
A Who’s Who of local services plus a few surprises
The participants’ list was largely unsurprising, representing an armada of local services across housing, outreach, welfare support, substance abuse, legal, mental health, and community health.
While the list is very impressive, it also included some organisations that fly low under the public radar, such as the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association, Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation, Windana, and the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association.
TWiSK presents a one-paragraph guide to each organization
First Step
A one-stop shop that supports people experiencing drug and alcohol dependence with a blend of legal, mental health, and recovery supports. It recently moved to the former community health premises in Mitford Street after being on Carlisle Street for many years. Local heroes.
www.firststep.org.au
Housing First
A corporate not-for-profit social housing developer with a long history in Port Phillip, now operating over a much broader canvas. In Port Phillip, HS operated 718 dwellings in 2024. It has a new project in progress in Grosvenor Street. The Council has two people on the Board, Crs. Jay and Halliday.
www.housingfirst.org.au
South Port Community Housing Group
Manages affordable rental housing options in the Inner Southern Metropolitan area for single adults and young people facing homelessness and social exclusion. They manage 374 units across multiple municipalities.
www.spchg.org.au/
Launch Housing
Providing programs to get people into secure accommodation, especially rough sleepers. Partners with council on the Port Phillip Zero program featuring the by-name list of everyone known to be sleeping rough, in their cars, or in abandoned buildings. They aim to know everyone by name and to learn their support and housing needs.
www.launchhousing.org.au
St Kilda Community Housing
Partners in the Wellington Street Common Ground Project in St Kilda, a new crisis housing development providing 26 self-contained units with on-site support services set for completion later this year. They have 20 properties covering 315 dwellings.
stkch.org.au
Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation
An Aboriginal community-controlled organisation offering alcohol and drug treatment and recovery, homelessness programs, public intoxication responses, counselling, family violence support, and youth services. Most noted for operating Galliamble and Winja Ulupna residential alcohol rehabilitation centres and the recently established public intoxication ‘dry-out’ centre in St Kilda.
ngwala.org.au
Port Phillip Community Group
An established local not-for-profit that offers information, referrals, and support from a St Kilda shopfront. It played a significant role in food distribution, especially during the pandemic, and now supports people through food vouchers and packages.
www.ppcg.org.au
Sacred Heart Mission
The Mission is possibly the highest-profile local not-for-profit organization providing support to people experiencing homelessness, deep disadvantage, and social exclusion. Famous for its meals program delivered from Grey Street, op shops, and innovative outreach.
www.sacredheartmission.org/
Better Health Network
The new brand for Star Health, formerly Inner South Community Health Service. This operates community health services, including some offered on Fitzroy Street.
www.bhn.org.au
Windana
Providing services for adults and young people experiencing alcohol and other drug harms, family violence, mental health challenges, and social disadvantage. With headquarters in St Kilda, they offer AOD programs ranging from support groups to long-term residential detox in the countyside.
windana.org.au/about-windana
Salvation Army / Access Health
From premises in Grey Street, Access Health provides primary health care that enhances the health and well-being of marginalized individuals, injecting drug users, street sex workers, and those experiencing homelessness.
Access Health
Alfred Health
A sprawling three-campus health organization offering a range of statewide specialist services.
Alfred Health
South Port Community Legal
A free legal advice and referral service for the residents of Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Middle Park, Albert Park, Southbank, Fishermans Bend, and St Kilda.
www.southportcls.com.au
Southside Justice
Formerly the St Kilda Legal Service, Southside Justice is a free legal service for individuals with low incomes in the cities of Port Phillip, Stonnington, and Bayside. In 2024, they assisted 734 clients, 82% of whom were women.
Southside Justice
Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association
GLEPHA advocates for improved methods of addressing behavioral issues without relying on the criminal justice system. They emphasize the excessive dependence on criminal justice and the unbalanced allocation of resources, calling for fewer prison beds and more mental health services. Police are often tasked with issues better addressed through public health responses.
GLEPHA
Neighbourhood Justice Centre
An innovative neighbourhood justice initiative that is part of the Magistrates Court. It serves as a local court for residents or homeless individuals in the City of Yarra. The court handles all matter categories typically addressed in any other magistrates’ court, excluding sexual offenses.
www.neighbourhoodjustice.vic.gov.au/
Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association
Victoria’s peak body representing Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services, including advocating for a government plan to address concerns related to potent synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and nitazenes.
VAADA
Victoria Police
Providing policing services from the St Kilda and South Melbourne police stations, overseen by the senior local commander who attended the roundtable with other officers.
The organisations have been asked to submit a written submission by 4 April 2025.
What’s next?
The Roundtable is one input to the Council’s new, wide-ranging Community Safety Plan (CSP). Formal community engagement will start in late May enabling everyone to have their say.
This will include in-person and online opportunities including surveys, workshops and pop-ups.
Read the existing Community Safety Plan 2019 – 2025
PS TWiSK is looking for a suitably independent and qualified person to voluntarily review the current plan’s success or otherwise. Contact Greg Day 0418 345 829
