Inside the new plans for Preston Market

While the fruit and vegetable shed will remain in place, there’s big changes coming for parts of the landmark. SEE THE PLANS.

Renders of the planned Preston Market upgrades. Picture: Supplied

Preston Market would be partially moved, rebuilt and heritage protected under plans to be revealed on Tuesday.

New homes — including social housing — and offices would be built in towers up to 20 storeys high on the northern suburbs site under plans to be unveiled by the Victorian Planning Authority.

New planning controls would ensure a fresh food market is retained on the site, which would also include a community centre, maternal and child health centre and a public plaza.

The fruit and vegetable shed would remain but the rest of the market would be reoriented to the south and a new entry built on Cramer Street.

Plans for the new market. Picture: Supplied

VPA chief executive Stuart Moseley said up to 6000 people would live in the “hugely significant site’’, in buildings up to 80m tall near a revamped market.

“The plan we’ve come up with will keep the market, so any development on that site has to include a fresh food market,’’ he said.

“Part of the existing structure will have to be retained in situ and then the development will have to provide the same amount of trading area, so it can’t be any smaller.’’

The 5.1ha market site would be transformed into a mixed use zone with 2800sq m of new public open space, including a new area along Cramer Street.

Once reorientated and rebuilt, the market precinct would be subject to a new heritage overlay to ensure it cannot be entirely demolished.

Developer contributions would help pay for infrastructure such as roads and bike paths.

VPA chief executive Stuart Moseley said up to 6000 people would live in the “hugely significant site’.

The Preston Market plans include high-rises and new street fronts. Picture: Supplied

Plans also include public spaces.

New buildings would be capped at 20 storeys near Murray Road, 16 in the centre of the site, 12 at Cramer Street and three storeys behind High Street shops.

“It’s an island site, so it doesn’t butt up against anybody’s backyard,’’ he said. “It’s surrounded by road and rail.”

The market, privately owned by Salta Properties and Medlich Corporation, will retain at least 518 car parks to be moved underground or into upper storeys.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne asked the VPA to review controls for the area in 2018, after VCAT overturned plans rejected by Darebin Council. The council would have to negotiate with site owners to play a part in its redevelopment.

While it had no power to influence the planning process, Darebin mayor Lina Messina called on Mr Wynne to ensure the market was not moved “and turned into just another shopping centre”.

Salta Properties managing director Sam Tarascio said there was “growing demand” for a more modern market.

“We are committed to preserving the market culture and identity,’’ he said.

Construction is likely to start in 2024 and continue in stages into the 2030s.