This is a blog series where we share the community submissions sent to the Minister for Planning regarding the draft Preston Market Precinct Development Plan. We’re sharing these to give our communities voices a platform, and inspire others with stories about the market.
Submission 004:
Dear Planning Minister
My name is Gianluca and I am writing to register my opposition to the proposed Preston Market Development Plan.
My reasons for opposing the latest plans:
This plan, including the demolition of significant parts of the market and the intense development, does not respect the market as the social and cultural Heart of the Northern Suburbs. It will damage the social and cultural fabric of our community, as has been made loud and clear.
Preston has the activity centre approval which will see almost 15,300 dwellings along high street catering for our fair share of the housing requirements for Darebin.
The proposed plans entomb the market. There will no longer be any welcoming entrance into it.
The developers are ignoring the VPA’s recommendations. Having personally attended several days of the SAC hearing, I find the proposed demolition of even 20% of our beloved market unacceptable. The market cannot simply be ‘rebuilt’.
It’s a lot to ask of one site. This is overdevelopment.
Traffic congestion will be worse than it already is.
How will schools in our zone cope with the additional numbers? Considering polytechnic has also been sold off.
I want every inch of our beloved market preserved and the only way to do this is via public acquisition of the site, so this open community asset is preserved for many generations to come.
Lastly the consultation process is inadequate and should be extended, and we ought to have further feedback on any developments of the plan in the future.
Kind regards,
Gianluca
