Strengthening Community Safety: Victorian Pride Centre Program

Overview

The Strengthening Community Safety: Victorian Pride Centre Program (the program) will run over 4 years from 2026-27 to 2029-30. The Victorian Pride Centre is Australia’s first purpose-built home for LGBTIQA+ communities. The Centre serves as a hub for important LGBTIQA+ organisations, offers spaces for hire for the community, and provides a safe place where vulnerable individuals can access mental health and wellbeing services. The Victorian Pride Centre is experiencing escalating security, safety and welfare risks, facing increasing incidents linked to rough sleeping, drug and alcohol use, and mental health crises. The Centre has also become a visible target for right?wing extremist groups, creating heightened risks for events involving children, young people and rainbow families, with local events previously cancelled due to credible threats. Classified as a high?risk site by Victoria Police, the Centre currently faces 2-3 major incidents each week, including violent altercations and after?hours distress cases, which have contributed to declining bookings, tenant loss and financial instability. This grant opportunity was announced as part of the Department of Home Affairs Program 1.2 National Security and Resilience. This program supports Program 1.2 by addressing the escalating safety threats to the Victorian Pride Centre. Violent incidents, extremist targeting, and wellbeing crises are impacting vulnerable populations. By improving on?site safety measures, strengthening support services, and ensuring the centre remains a secure and accessible hub for LGBTIQA+ communities, the program contributes to reducing threats to public safety, protecting critical social infrastructure, and reinforcing community confidence.