Victoria's Sobering-Up Centre to Close Amid Funding Cuts and Shifting Service Model

Victoria's approach to public intoxication is undergoing another shift, with the planned closure of the Collingwood sobering-up center in mid-2027. This facility, opened in November 2023 as part of reforms that decriminalized public intoxication and moved responsibility from police to health workers, has faced criticism for low uptake. While the Department of Health insists that dedicated services for Aboriginal people and outreach for the general population will continue, the centralized model is evolving towards localized and integrated service delivery. This change comes as state budget funding for the reform is reduced. The opposition has long argued that the center was a costly experiment with underutilized beds. The closure marks a significant pivot from the initial reforms, which were partly spurred by the tragic death of Tanya Day in 2017, an Aboriginal woman who died in custody after being arrested for public drunkenness. The original intent was to provide a health-focused alternative to the justice system, particularly for Indigenous Australians who were disproportionately policed for this offense. The effectiveness and future of these localized services will be closely watched.

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Victoria's public intoxication services will continue. People intoxicated in public will continue to be supported by outreach services to help them get home safely or return to the care of family and friends. The centralised service model will evolve, with an emphasis on localised and integrated service delivery to ensure Victorians continue to get the care they need.