A master plan for the Preston Market redevelopment reveals its private owners want to slash the existing footprint of the bustling food and retail precinct by nearly 20 per cent to make way for new market space and apartment towers.
The south block of the market – where mixed-retail traders like a pet supply store and electric sign business operate – and an adjoining Aldi grocery shop would be demolished if the proposal is approved by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.
About 900 new apartments across eight towers ranging in height from eight to 16 storeys would surround the market, with plans for about 10 per cent of the dwellings to be “affordable”.
According to the master plan, released on Thursday, 81 per cent of the existing market will be retained.
Despite the original market footprint being reduced, total market floor space will increase from 12,700 square metres to 15,328 square metres, the plans say.
Key heritage elements like the space frame roof structure, murals and shopfront features will be protected, while an additional 14,000 square metres of speciality retail and commercial floor space will be added to the precinct.
Staged redevelopment is proposed in a bid to keep market stalls operating.
Members of the community will be able to share feedback on the plans, until the consultation period is closed on October 14.
Save Preston Market member and spokesperson George Kanjere said the group would co-ordinate a response to the plans, but that two weeks was insufficient.
“We will invite the community to have a look at the plans. It is a major issue … that there is only two weeks for this consultation to take place,” he said.
“The process is pretty flawed and there is opportunity to change that. They could extend [the feedback period].
“Our main goal would be 100 per cent retention of the market building and ensuring that the traders are taken care of during the process so their business can survive and the market can … have continuous life throughout development.”
Brian Nguyen, owner of Hai Xuong Seafoods, which has been trading at the Preston Market for 30 years, said the redevelopment was needed.
“It will affect business, but it is what it is,” he said.
Preston Market shopper Kate Preston said the market served as an important community hub, and was where she brought her son several times a week to shop and connect with like-minded people.
“As long as the redevelopment provides certainty for traders long term I think that is a critical consideration for whatever happens,” she said. “We know that housing is a real issue across Australia and particularly in an area like Preston. Having affordable housing is great but 10 per cent does not sound like much, it would be great to see more.”
The 56-year-old market has been the subject of a years-long dispute over its proposed redevelopment. The original plan involved razing some market sheds to build an open-air market and 2200 apartments in towers reaching up to 19 storeys high.
The dispute became a political headache for Labor during the 2022 state election, with Labor’s Nathan Lambert winning the seat of Preston despite a 19.2 per cent swing against the party after preferences, following a well-organised campaign to “save” the market.
Lambert was contacted for comment.
In response to community pressure, Kilkenny implemented new heritage protections and planning controls in 2023 including a heritage overlay to prevent the demolition of the market sheds and cap development heights at 14 storeys.
The market is privately owned by Medich Corporation, which has always maintained that the viability of the site was dependent on adequate residential development to warrant necessary investment in the ageing market.
Darren Rudd, project manager at Macroplan, on behalf of Medich family, said the earliest any development could take place was 2030. He said the proposal still required planning approvals.
“The Medich family is very passionate about keeping and maintaining the market,” he said.
“This does not work if the market does not thrive. It won’t look or feel like a shopping centre, it will look and feel very much like the Preston Market.”
Electricity infrastructure and waste management needed to be upgraded, Rudd said. While the project is eligible for fast-track approval, the Medich family have not requested that.
Darebin City Council mayor Emily Dimitriadis said: “We know the community is passionate about the Preston Market’s future, and we encourage them to make a submission to the state government.”
“The release of the plan is an important milestone and an opportunity for residents, traders and visitors to help shape the future of one of Darebin’s most valued community spaces,” she said.
“Council’s assessment will focus on key issues including the provision of open space, accommodating a growing population and protecting the market’s heritage significance, distinctive character and role as a welcoming and vibrant destination.”
A state government spokesperson said: “Labor will protect Preston Market’s heritage as homes are delivered near Preston Station.”
“We understand there is strong community interest in this site and that is why we’re encouraging the community to give feedback on the proposal,” they said.
Victorian Greens candidate for Northcote, Campbell Gome, said Labor was responsible for deciding if the plans were approved, but that consultation with the community had been “woefully inadequate”.
“We still have no clarity of what this will mean for traders during construction and the operations of the market into the future,” he said.
“Preston Market should be managed by the community and traders, just like the Queen Vic and South Melbourne markets. That’s why the Greens are calling on the state and federal governments to acquire the Preston Market, giving traders and the community a genuine say in shaping its future.”
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
