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 007:
Submission: Objection to the Proposed Preston Market Redevelopment
I am writing to register my opposition to the proposed redevelopment of Preston Market.
I make this submission as a lifelong resident of Melbourne's northern suburbs. I was born and grew up in Princes Hill and have spent my entire adult life living in Carlton, Collingwood, Northcote, Brunswick, Preston, Fawkner and Coburg. For more than 20 years, Preston Market has been my market.
Even when I lived further away, I travelled to Preston Market for groceries for meals prepared for special occasions and family gatherings. When I lived in Collingwood in 2008, I travelled to the market to get grocery for my Christmas cooking. Later, I lived in Preston for 8 years and it was been a regular place to shop for fresh food and essentials.
Preston Market has also been a place of leisure and social connection. I have had first dates there, shopped with and for family and loved ones, connected with friends, and attended cultural events and celebrations. It is one of the most important community spaces in Melbourne's northern suburbs and I have a strong personal connection to it. That is why i am so invested in maintaining its vital character.
My primary concern is that the proposed redevelopment will fundamentally change the character of the market. The introduction of large retail outlets risks turning a beloved community market into another commercial shopping precinct. We already have Northland. We don’t need another. Preston Market has retained a unique community-focused, independent stallholder atmosphere for decades, and that is precisely what makes it special.
I am also deeply concerned about the proposed high-rise towers. They will significantly alter the character of the market and increase residential density without expanding the market's capacity to serve the community. The market is already incredibly crowded, particularly on weekends. This site should be predominately focused on providing groceries, spaces for small independent traders to trade and as a community space, not for housing developments. There are already many residential developments across Melbourne's northern suburbs.
Demolishing parts of the market will also reduce its capacity to service a growing population. Preston Market serves far more than Preston or Darebin residents. People travel from across Melbourne's northern corridor to shop there (as I have at many points of my life - including currently from Coburg). At a time when the population is growing, reducing the market's footprint seems entirely counterproductive.
I have particular concerns about proposals to construct towers on top of the market building itself. Given the market's heritage significance and importance to the community, this poses a significant risk to a place that is deeply valued by generations of residents. How will the market be protected during this hugely risky development?
I am also concerned about the limited timeframe for community consultation. Meaningful consultation requires adequate time for residents, traders and community groups to understand proposals and provide informed feedback. The rushed process raises concerns about whether this proposal genuinely reflects the best interests of the community it serves.
Importantly, I am not opposed to investment in the market. I would welcome improvements that better serve the community, including additional open multiuse community spaces, expanded market facilities and increased parking capacity through underground or multi-level solutions. A model similar to Prahran Square, with parking below and community space above, would provide long-term benefits while preserving the market's character.
Any redevelopment should prioritise protecting and enhancing the market rather than maximising profit. Great care must be taken to preserve its heritage, culture, independent traders and community atmosphere. Future plans should only proceed with robust and genuine collaboration with the community that relies on and loves this place.
I would also strongly welcome Preston Market being publicly owned and operated, as is the case with other beloved heritage markets such as Queen Victoria Market.
Preston Market is not simply a development site. It is a vital social, cultural and community asset that has served generations of people across Melbourne's north. Its value cannot be measured solely in development potential. Once its unique character is lost, it cannot be recreated.
