The Melbourne City Council has passed a local law that bans camping in a public place, giving police officers more powers to remove rough sleepers in the CBD.
Previously, it was only illegal to camp in a public place if the camper had a vehicle, tent, caravan or other temporary structure.
Now the definition has been updated to remove any mention of structures.
"Unless in accordance with a permit, a person must not camp in or on any public place," the amended definition states.
The law was passed 5-4 by councillors at a council meeting on Tuesday, and will now be subject to 28 days of public consultation before it is given final approval.
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The council has said it is "not illegal to be homeless" but has tightened the definition of camping in the wake of worrying scenes outside a makeshift camp along Flinders Street station this month.
Police clashed with protesters, arresting four, as the group of rough sleepers was moved on.
The ban on public camping has been condemned by charities, who believe it will force rough sleepers and the homeless to move to hidden and unsafe places.
"This will expose them to greater risk of assault, and will make it more difficult for homeless services to locate and engage people to support them into housing," a group of crisis support agencies said in a joint statement.
The council also passed a ban on people leaving any item in a public place without a permit, and gives officers the ability to confiscate the items.
It's hoped the ban will help curb the large amount of rubbish and belongings the council removes.
Per week, up to 150kg of accumulated belongings are taken to landfill, the council says, much of which is exacerbated by donations to people sleeping rough.
An education campaign to discourage people donating and the impact it causes will also be developed.
