Save our Preston Market group says council waved white flag

Darebin Council has released its ideal vision for the Preston Market, including the retention of covered outdoor spaces and the diverse mix of traders and shops. But critics say it hasn’t been strong enough and has left the market open to demolition.

Darebin Council has released its objectives for the future of Preston Market. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Darebin Council will advocate for the Preston Market to become part of a sustainable neighbourhood featuring a mix of traders, the same covered shed feel and varied community spaces.

But activists say the council has raised the white flag on heritage protections, and left the door open for developers to tear it down.

While the Planning Minister has the final say on planning controls for the site, both the council and the Victorian Planning Authority are able to put forward recommendations.

The council this week endorsed five objectives in its submission they hope will help shape the Planning Minister’s controls for the site.

The objectives included to:

• Retain the unique feel of covered streets, sheds, stalls and small shops
• Have a vibrant mix of traders, particularly of diverse backgrounds
• Make the surrounding precinct a sustainable, liveable neighbourhood
• Include community spaces (such as childcare) and affordable housing
• Have development under an agreement to retain a fresh food market

Darebin Mayor Susan Rennie said public engagement to form the objectives involved almost 2000 people.

“We all love the market and want the new community around it to be diverse, sustainable, connected and welcoming,” she said.

But Save Our Preston Market spokesman Chris Erlandsen said the “nebulous” and “rubbery” objectives weren’t restrictive enough and left the door open for the market to be demolished.

“Here was an opportunity to provide something special and we think they’ve let it go,” he said.

“They’ve capitulated on height of buildings, capitulated on relocating the market, there’s not much left.”

The market could be moved to allow traders to continue operating during works.

A Preston Market “identity report” prepared by consultants Hello City found moving and rebuilding the market at another location on the site posed “a number of risks to the identity of the market”.

“In order to get positive outcomes from development of the market sheds new buildings would need to be contained within existing market footprints,” it said.

Community engagement polled opinions on shifting the market to different locations on the site, including facing onto Cramer St or the train line.

The Cramer St hall was demolished to make way for carparking.

Darebin councillors Gaetano Greco and Tim Laurence put forward a motion to include restrictions on relocating the market and mandatory height limits but it was voted down.

Other councillors were concerned existing traders would not be able to continue operating while the market was rebuilt around them.

“If you were to keep the market where it was that actually makes it quite hard for the traders to continue operating,” Darebin councillor Susanne Newton said.

“It’s possible that if the market was in a different configuration then it might make it easier to transition.”

The council objectives outline keeping Preston Market’s diverse feel. Picture: Darebin Libraries

The market site has a 9m height limit while the control review takes place.

The VPA is expected to release their draft framework for the site in September.

The Heritage Council of Victoria will make a decision on the historical value of the site in October.

A planning scheme amendment will then be brought to the Planning Minister in November.

MORE NEWS: TRADERS FIGHT CROSSING CLOSURE

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO STAY IN PRESTON?

PLANS FOR VICTORIA’S FIRST EMISSIONS FREE UNI

Mr Erlandsen said the controls needed to be stronger so the council would have chips at the bargaining table with future developers.

“When we started the Save Our Preston Market group we were very concerned about the vagueness of the masterplan and it’s almost like we’re still back there — nothing’s changed,” he said.

“Everything’s up for grabs.”

[e-mail]

@richardapearce