Victoria Police, Moreland City Council representatives and trader's associations have been working together to discuss security arrangements, with fears that the demonstrations in the heart of multicultural Coburg could lead to unrest.

Police have warned they will be closely monitoring the rallies, and will conduct searches to ensure no weapons are on site.

"Our message is clear; if you bring a weapon you will be caught," a police spokesperson said. "Given the history of violence that has occurred at previous rallies, families and parents are advised to consider if it is appropriate for children to attend."

Coburg Leisure Centre, located in Bridges Reserve, will close for the entire day. Nearby traders have been asked to consider closing for several hours, and urged to bring any tables and chairs in off the street.

A 'Moreland says no to racism' rally organised by councillor Sue Bolton, a member of the Socialist Alliance, will meet outside Coburg Library at 11am and finish in Bridges Reserve. It will protest the forced closure of Aboriginal communities, argue that Manus and Nauru detention centres should be closed, and rally against 'Islamophobia'.

A counter rally, 'Stop the far left', will meet at Bridges Reserve at 10.30am. Organised by The True Blue Crew, the anti-Islam rally will show its support for offshore detention centres. Groups including the United Patriots Front have backed the protest, with a bus full of supporters being driven in from Bendigo and Melton.

The police spokesperson said anti-social behaviour or violence would not be tolerated. "Urging violence and hatred within our community is not a form of free speech and is illegal."

The rallies are the latest in a series of protests held in Melbourne over the past year, including a violent clash in Melton last November, where anti-Islam activists from self-described patriot group Reclaim Australia clashed violently with anti-racism campaigners.