2026-10-15
The Victorian Greens are calling on the state and federal governments to work together to acquire Preston Market and bring it into public ownership, as the Victorian Government considers a major new redevelopment plan for the site.
The privately owned market’s new Development Plan proposes more than 900 apartments, buildings reaching up to 16 storeys, additional retail and commercial development and a staged redevelopment of the precinct.
The plan proposes retaining 81 per cent of the original market footprint and 77 per cent of its heritage space-frame, while keeping the market operating throughout construction.
The Greens say there remain significant questions about what the redevelopment would mean for existing independent traders during construction and over the longer term.
Under the planning controls governing the site, the Victorian Planning Minister is the responsible authority for the Development Plan.
The Greens are calling for the state and federal governments to work with Darebin Council to acquire the site and establish a public market model with a formal role for traders and the local community.
Quotes attributable to the Victorian Greens candidate for Northcote, Campbell Gome:
“In Northcote, Preston and right across the north, Preston Market is the heart and soul of our community.
“The independent traders, affordable fresh food and cultural identity of Preston Market are what makes it so special, and it needs to be protected.
“Labor is ultimately responsible for deciding whether these plans go ahead, but their consultation with the community has been woefully inadequate. We still have no clarity of what this will mean for traders during construction and the operations of the market into the future.
“Preston Market should be managed by the community and traders, just like the Queen Vic and South Melbourne markets. That’s why the Greens are calling on the state and federal governments to work together to acquire the Preston Market, giving traders and the community a genuine say in shaping its future.”
Quotes attributable to the Victorian Greens MLC for Northern Metropolitan, Anasina Gray-Barberio:
“Preston Market is one of the most important multicultural community spaces in Melbourne’s north. Labor’s completely disregarded the community when it comes to protecting Preston Market. We need to make sure that any plans are putting the community and traders first, and that we’re protecting what makes Preston market the special place that it is.”