The successful Community Connectors program is being expanded to Werribee train station, in a frontline boost that will support vulnerable community members and help improve commuter safety.
Community Connectors is an impactful early intervention program, which sees specialist outreach workers patrol train stations and provide proactive support to community members to prevent incidents arising.
Through the expansion, two outreach workers will be based at Werribee Station by the end of 2026, providing on-the-ground support for people experiencing challenges such as homelessness, mental health concerns, trauma, family violence, alcohol and other substance issues, and other challenges day-to-day.
The outreach workers build meaningful connections with the people they’re there to help so they’re able to gain trust and connect them directly with local support services with a warm referral, which can support addressing issues longer term.
They also provide training, mentoring and support to Metro Trains staff in managing people with complex needs, helping them better understand the local community and available support networks.
The data shows Community Connectors have had a meaningful impact since launching in 2023 in Dandenong, Springvale and Noble Park and expanding to Frankston and the Young Street precinct in 2024.
Across those sites, more than 13,000 people have been supported, leading to almost 1000 referrals to services, more than 1130 incidents being de-escalated or prevented and significant reductions in disorderly behaviour and crime.
Werribee is the third location across Melbourne funded through the Violence Reduction Unit’s (VRU) $30 million local crime prevention solutions initiative.
The Community Connectors are also out and about at Sunshine and St Albans stations as a result of increased investment through the VRU.
The program is delivered by South East Community Links (SECL) and Metro Trains Melbourne, and was also expanded to Footscray in May 2026 and Broadmeadows in August 2026.
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