Homeless shut out of Vic sleeping spot

Homeless people will be shut out of a popular Melbourne sleeping spot after increasing issues with weapons, flammable gas bottles and violence.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the Fitzroy Gardens electrical substation, an inner-city location long frequented by people sleeping rough, would be fenced immediately as a safety measure after weapons such as claw hammers and pieces of pipe were found, and people were assaulted.

Gas bottles had also been spotted in close proximity to the active electrical substation, he said.

"The whole situation is now to the point where it is simply no longer safe," Mr Doyle told reporters on Wednesday.

"This is a tragedy or a disaster waiting to happen. That's why we've got to take this action now."

He said some people causing the problems were not homeless or sleeping there but visiting the area, sometimes affected by drugs.

Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle said many people staying near the substation were fearful and had moved on, while those affected by the fencing would be rehoused in support accommodation.

Victoria Police would continue patrolling the area in a bid to keep homeless people and the wider community safe, Superintendent Cindy Millen said.