A large group of homeless people camped out at Flinders Street station, the thoroughfare used by many flocking to the Australian Open, say they're only there because it's safe.
News reports suggest there are more rough sleepers than ever at busy station in the CBD, confronting visitors arriving for the international tennis tournament.
But police and the people themselves say they're not using city's high profile or high influx of tourists to make a stand - they just find it safe.
Greg Brown says the well-lit area is a smarter choice for sleeping rough than an alleyway where you can be "robbed or bashed".
Brenda Nguyen, who has been homeless for seven years, says the group are safer together and share food, blankets and spare change.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle says a more "aggressive" outreach approach is needed to deal with the range of issues in homelessness from "professional and threatening beggars" to people with tragic stories.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Mark Stone says it is a problem for retailers with some people avoiding certain shops because of homeless people sitting outside and taking drugs.
"It's unacceptable that people are allowed to take drugs out in the open without some kind of sanction taken against them," he told 3AW.
Victoria Police Superintendent David Clayton told reporters on Wednesday that if homeless people took drugs of dependence, they would be arrested.
He said smoking with "bongs" would not fall under that category.
He also said a tougher approach to moving people on wasn't helpful as it didn't address the underlying causes of homelessness.
The Victorian government recently announced $600 million to help deal with homelessness in the city.
