Built at a time when Australia’s cultural identity was rapidly evolving, the Preston Market became an institution renowned for its values and traditions that exemplified multiculturalism in Melbourne.
The quintessential market in Melbourne's north continues to evolve beyond its 50th year, despite locals fearing they’ll lose “the heartbeat of the community”.
The years long battle for the future of the commercial area even became a heated state election issue last November.
The issue has been contentious since 2018 when, under pressure from the Darebin City Council, then Planning Minister Richard Wynne requested the Victorian Planning Authority review the plans proposed by owners Salta Properties and Medich Corporation.
In March 2022, the same minister called for a review of the plan by a standing advisory committee to assess the merits of the proposed scheme.
A few days ago, news of additional measures by the new Planning Minister, Sonya Kilkenny, “to protect the historical and aesthetic, technical and social heritage of the market” was announced.
According to the statement, a ‘Heritage Overlay’ will be introduced, formally declaring the importance of the space.
The minister will introduce an amendment to the city plan in the coming months to implement these changes.
“We’re protecting the Preston Market and ensuring it remains a social and cultural landmark for the community – and preserving its history for future generations to enjoy,” said Minister Kilkenny.
“We have heard that preserving the market is a priority, and that’s what we’ll deliver.”
Darebin Mayor Julie Williams responded positively to the recent announcement, announcing “Darebin is pleased to see that the Minister for Planning yesterday released the SAC report of recommendations on the future of the Preston Market Precinct - which recommends substantial retention of the market”.
“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.
“There are some positive signs that the market will be protected, however the Minister will make the ultimate decision on whether the market will indeed remain in place for generations to come, in the coming months.”
In any case, the municipality “remains committed to protecting the Preston Market and will carefully consider the SAC report to fully understand its recommendations”.
Meanwhile, the activist group behind the ‘Save the Preston Market’ campaign is calling for the market to be publicly owned.
Il Globo contacted the group for comment but did not receive a response.
At the same time, many merchants approve of and agree with the renovation project proposed by the owners.
Sam Tarascio, founding director of Salta Properties, decided to respond to what he considers to be a wave of misinformation in recent years by personally going to Preston Market to talk with merchants and show them details of the advanced plan.
A potential view of the market from Cramer street
“The infrastructure that was used as the sewer, is just loose pipes, pipes just pushed together with movement of the land and movement of the soil,” Tarascio explained.
“Everything is opening up, so all the infrastructure underneath the trading area of the market is collapsing. And the time will come when it potentially will have to close because of the collapsing infrastructure.
“Now you can fix it but if you close the market, they lose their customers. The council who doesn't know what building is about thinks you can do one tenant at a time. You can't do that. You've got to put in the infrastructure so that the outlet starts here and comes all the way through.”
According to the original proposal, which is now being questioned, the market site would be realigned 25 meters to the east.
The fruit and vegetable stalls, which have local heritage value, would be retained, and the total size of the market would remain almost the same with a minimum shrinkage of 324 square metres.
In addition, the parking lot would allow for more than 350 additional cars, and the design of the market itself would remain consistent with the current one, “absolutely not like a shopping mall,” Tarascio stressed.
The market's owners had also proposed the construction of 2,200 apartments, later reduced to 1,200 at the request of the Minister of Planning in 2021, “to make the site financially feasible and sustainable”.
The apartments were designed using the ‘build-to-rent’ method in order to maintain ownership and management of the building.
“You've often got 100 apartments, in a lot of cases, there's 100 owners. So the buildings never get really looked after,” Tarascio explained.
“2000 apartments would probably have a population of 5000 people, so all of a sudden we put 5000 people on the doorstep of the market.
“[This] will strengthen the viability of the market because it will be like a European village.”
Because of the continuing uncertainty regarding the market's future, the owners cannot provide long-term leases.
“Most of them have worked for 20, 30 years, 40 years, some of them,” Tarascio said.
“I have promised all of the traders that the minute the minister gives me the approval for a viable market, even though the market is going to take 4 or 5 years to finish, I will give them a lease right away.
“I can make the lease with a clause in it that says when the new market is finished, they go to the new market.”
Regarding Minister Kilkenny's recent announcement, Tarascio stressed that “nothing has changed” and the only solution is “to continue working with the merchants so they do not lose their livelihood”.
Kristian Gandolfo (right) and colleague Tamsyn Staeh hold up signs in favour of the new market
For Kristian Gandolfo, owner of ‘Mariluci’, a fresh pasta shop founded by his mother Maria Gandolfo around 20 years ago, “there is still a lot to be done”, but he believes in the plan proposed by the owners of the land.
“I've done the research and all possible outcomes of plans for the market, and it seems like the development is the only viable way to protect the traders,” he said.
“I believe that if the government sticks with their vision and we try to stick with their vision, it will only mean the shutting down of stores to do redevelopment.”
Gandolfo expressed little enthusiasm for the state government’s latest announcement, because it “still does not provide any definitive answers about their future”.
“The apartments to me isn't a factor in this at all. All we care about and all we prefer is for our businesses to keep trading.
“Any apartments are going to be beneficial. As long as we have a lease and we trade, I don't think anyone's going to worry about what goes up around us.”
Giacomo Iaconis (left) with his brother Michelangelo
Giacomo Iaconis, the owner of the historic ‘Bakery No 4’ along with his brother Michelangelo Iaconis, believes “there is nothing wrong with the plan presented by the owners of the commercial area.”
“I have no problem with the proposed work, I agree with it 100 per cent,” said Iaconis.
“I am only sorry that there has been so much confusion over the years.
“And I support the renovations [proposed by the owners] not exclusively for my own benefit or for my business, but for the future of the market itself, which can then survive for many more years.”
