The Victorian Government confirmed construction delays would prevent the facility in Collingwood from opening by November 7, which coincides with the annual Melbourne Cup public holiday.
The new health-based reforms will mean police can no longer arrest someone for being drunk in public.
The facility will have the capacity to treat more than 140 patients each week, and will be run by non-profit community health organisation Cohealth.
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll couldn’t confirm an opening date for the facility today.
“We are working very hard. I don’t want to give a firm yes but I know we are working very hard to have Collingwood open as soon as possible,” he said.
Victoria Police Chief commissioner Shane Patton assured police were prepared for the changes, however that was quickly refuted by the Police Association.
Secretary Wayne Gatt told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell that he was “genuinely worried that the government was not as prepared as it should be”.
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“We will have a gap between the health service providers and the encountering of intoxication on the street,” he said.
“We might in a position where we are walking away from the scene or where police members leave.”
The Victorian government’s push to abolish the state’s public drunkenness laws was prompted by the death of Indigenous woman Tanya Day.
She had been arrested for public drunkenness when she was found asleep on a train travelling from Bendigo to Melbourne.
While the centre has no guaranteed opening date, its operator will instead work on the city’s streets.
Up to 10 teams – each with a vehicle, nurse and alcohol and drug specialist will patrol greater Melbourne from Melbourne Cup Day.
