Public notice: Melbourne from 4 to 6 March 2024

Public Notice: Declaration of Designated Place Application

A Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner has declared the following location a Designated Place pursuant to Section 3A of the Victoria Police Act 2013 for a period of 12 months or less.

The declaration is necessary to ensure community safety and public reassurance by deploying Victoria Police protective services officers (PSOs) to the declared Designated Place.

Boundary of the declared Designated Place

The area to be designated is bordered by:

• Victoria Parade between Peel Street and Lansdowne Street East Melbourne
• Lansdowne Street to the intersection of Wellington Parade East Melbourne
• Wellington Parade to the intersection of Hoddle Street East Melbourne
• Hoddle Street, continuing as Punt Road to the intersection of Swan Street Melbourne
• Swan Street to the intersection of Alexandra Avenue Melbourne
• Alexandra Avenue to the intersection of Punt Road, Melbourne
• Punt Road to the intersection of Domain Road Cremorne
• Domaine Road to the intersection of St Kilda Road Melbourne
• St Kilda Road to the intersection of Dorcas Street South Melbourne
• Dorcas Street to the intersection of Kings Way South Melbourne
• Kings Way to the intersection of City Road Southbank
• City Road to the intersection of Montague Street South Bank
• Montague Street, continuing as Wurundjeri Way to the intersection of Dudley Street West Melbourne
• Dudley Street to the intersection of Peel Street Melbourne
• Peel Street to the intersection of Victoria Parade East Melbourne.

Refer to below map. This illustrates the geographical boundaries of the declared Designated Place where PSO can be deployed to.

The PSOs who will be deployed to the declared Designated Place will be exercising their normal legislative powers.

Victoria Police powers in designated areas

Police officers and protective service officers (PSOs) are empowered to search a person and anything in the possession or control of the person, or a vehicle, for weapons under the Act. You, your vehicle or things in your possession are in a public place within a designated area.

A police officer or PSO intends to conduct a limited search of you or your vehicle/things:

• You are requested to co-operate with that search.
• You may be requested to remove items of outer clothing such as headwear, scarves, jackets, etc.
• You may be searched using an electronic wand.
• You may be requested to remove items from any bags or pockets.
• You may be given a “pat down” search.

A police officer may also exercise their power under the Act to direct you to leave the designated area if you refuse to remove a face covering.

A police officer may direct you to leave the designated area if they reasonably believe that you intend to engage in conduct that would constitute an affray or violent disorder under s.195H and s.195I of the Crimes Act 1958 respectively.

It is an offence under the Act to obstruct or hinder a police officer or PSO in the exercise of a power to stop and search a person or vehicle or to fail to comply with a direction to leave the designated area.