Government breaks silence on Preston Market, but the details are ‘fuzzy’

The state government has announced plans to protect Preston Market, a move community campaigners say doesn’t go far enough.

The state government has moved to protect the Preston Market with heritage and development plan overlays in a move community campaigners say does not go far enough.

The announcement comes after years of fierce community protest as the 50-year-old markets owners proposed to develop the site with a 20-storey tower and to relocate part of the market.

The government plans would include a heritage overlay and a precinct-specific development plan overlay, which will somewhat restrict development of the site.

But while welcoming the move, Save Preston Market spokesperson George Kanjere said campaigners were not claiming victory yet.

“This indication from the minister that she does intend to protect Preston Market comes as a result of an enormously hard and long, difficult, sustained community campaign,’’ Mr Kanjere said.

“While we’re pleased about this announcement, we feel that it doesn't go far enough in that it doesn’t announce the public acquisition of a market which is really the only way to protect the entire market,” he said.

“So we still stand by our demand in that respect, our campaign is still continuing, we’re not stopping.”

The government also released a crucial report that was several months overdue, with recommendations on the future of the market from an independent advisory committee, after community advocates pressured Planning Minister Sonja Kilkenny for weeks to publicise the information.

Mr Kanjere said the “fuzzy” details provided by the government so far did not provide enough information to determine whether the proposed planning measures would make a difference.

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“It says that a significant proportion of the existing market will be retained, it might be that they feel that a significant portion of the existing market is 50 per cent (and) we would not be happy with that,” he said.

Darebin Council Mayor Julie Williams said a full investigation into the committee report was needed to understand the recommendations.

“There are some positive signs but we are yet to fully digest the 271-page report to understand whether the market will indeed remain in place for generations to come,” Cr Williams said.

“We have advocated strongly against the demolition of the market and for the current footprint of the sheds to stay in place and it appears the government has heard this message.”

Despite community pressure to keep the site untouched, the government’s announcement made clear that the site would be developed in some way.

“It has been identified as a strategic development site … the precinct has a key role to play in providing housing and employment opportunities,” the release said.

Ms Kilkenny said the government planned to ensure it remained a community landmark.

“We’re protecting the Preston Market … and preserving its history for future generations to enjoy,” she said.

“I want to thank every member of the community who has taken the time to have their say … we have heard that preserving the market is a priority and that’s what we’ll deliver.”

Opposition planning spokesman David Hodgett said the announcement created uncertainty within the community.

“There is no doubt the government has botched the planning process from day one,’’ he said,

“This is an important site, requiring careful consideration, and the government has let everyone down throughout the planning process.”