Paving the way for 2200 apartments to be built on the site of the Preston Market would pose an existential threat to stallholders, Darebin City Council officers have warned in a draft submission to the Victorian Planning Authority.for the 5.1-hectare site in May that would allow up to 20 storeys of apartments but ensure a fresh food market would remain regardless of any future development.
An artist’s impression of what could be allowed under the draft controls, viewed from the southeast with the market in the centre and apartment buildings in the background.If supported by councillors, Darebin would push for the maximum height of any development to be limited to 14 storeys rather than 20, claiming the municipality already has sufficient capacity to meet housing needs despite a growing population.
The floor space for traders would not be reduced, but most of the 120 stalls would be moved, which Darebin’s draft submission says would leave the market “irrevocably changed” and could lead to chain stores trampling its character. Ten per cent of the apartments would need to be affordable housing, which Darebin officers want doubled to 20 per cent. The developer would have to donate 10 per cent of the land value to create open space, most probably opposite Preston City Oval.
SAVE THE MARKET LET'S WRITE TO THE PREMIER . THE MARKET HAS BEEN THERE FOR 50 YEARS.
These plans will destroy Preston Market and threaten our community!! high density residential development cannot coexist with a fresh food market! VicGovAu planningvic gedkearney DanielAndrewsMP rwynnemp RobinScottMP CityofDarebin
Leave Preston Market where it is. Go build your 20 storey towers is Toorak or Camberwell.
Surely in this Covid era it’s time to reconsider tall towers as an option full stop. The only people they really benefit are developers.
Imho the tall towers along this narrow road are not in keeping with Melbourne and would not benefit the community. The Preston markets are an institution and should be enhanced but not like this, imho. VicGovAu planningvic DanielAndrewsMP michaelobrienmp