For many, it is a vibrant meeting place where different cultures collide.
Today, however, traders and council members fear for the market’s future, in the face of plans drawn up by the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) and released for consultation last month.
According to the plans, up to 20 storeys of apartments could be built on the northern end of the 5.1-hectare site.
The market would be repositioned to front Cramer Street, at the southern end of the site, and retain the existing fruit and vegetable shed to protect local heritage.
But most of the 120 stalls would be moved to an adjacent building, allowing stallholders to keep trading during construction.
VPA chief executive, Stuart Moseley, explained that 6 per cent of the planned homes will be affordable.
“The north of Melbourne, in particular, needs to provide more housing to younger people, students and ageing households,” Moseley said.
“And a site like this – right on the railway line, close to a shopping street and a fresh food market – is a great asset for the area.”
Although the coronavirus pandemic has cast some shadows over Australia’s demographic prospects, experts predict that Melbourne will overtake Sydney in terms of population by 2026, making housing and urban development a pressing issue in the Victorian capital.
But Darebin Council has previously rejected development applications for the site, calling for Planning Minister Richard Wynne to intervene in a change.org petition, which has garnered almost 6000 signatures since being launched last month.
Council claims that the development would diminish the market’s legacy and dull its spirit.
“We’re very confident that our plan will protect the market,” Moseley said.
“I agree with Council when it says that that the market is important for the community.
“We’ll protect the market and it will retain the vibe and the feel that it currently has.”
An aerial view of the planned development from the southeast. (Image: Victorian Planning Authority)
According to the VPA, the current Darebin Planning Scheme does not include the protection of the market’s historic heritage, nor does it provide a clear future for the market.
The government agency’s drafts aim to provide new housing, jobs and public amenities.
“Our plan makes sure that there are new quality open spaces that the current arrangement simply won’t deliver,” Moseley said.
“At the moment there is no greenery; under our plan, 10 per cent of the site will be provided as open space and there are extensive design requirements to make sure that open spaces are of high value.”
In response to those opposed to the development plans, Moseley encourages community members to come forward and have their say; the draft plans will be open for consultation until July 13 on the Engage Victoria website.
“If they think we haven’t done enough, we’re always happy to hear that,” Moseley concluded.
“But we’ve gone to some lengths to protect the market, to achieve the best results for the site and to give everybody certainty about what can happen to this really important part of Preston.”
