Recent updates following Victorian Government's release of the Housing Statement

On September 20th, 2023, the Premier of Victoria released the Housing Statement with the target of increasing housing supply. Preston Central (High Street) is one of the ten major activity centres identified as part of its Activity Centres Programme, whose objective is to add 60,000 homes across Melbourne.

Council is assessing the project's direction and scope in consultation with the Department of Transport and Planning and the Victorian Planning Authority to effectively build on the City of Darebin’s draft Preston Central Structure Plan, which is part of Amendment 218dare (please see below for more information). The Victorian Planning Authority will undertake further consultation with the community in April 2024. You can find more information about this project and other FAQs on their website here.

About this project

Preston Central (the Centre) is designated as a Major Activity Centre in the State Government’s Plan Melbourne - the strategy for supporting jobs, housing, and transport in Melbourne over the next 25 years (visit planmelbourne.vic.gov.au to find out more).

The existing Preston Central Structure Plan is over 16 years old and requires a comprehensive review so that policies are up-to-date and respond to the needs of the current and future community.

Following two phases of consultation, we have prepared a refreshed draft Preston Central Structure Plan 2023 (draft Structure Plan) to guide the future growth and development of the Centre over the next 15 to 20 years. At the same time, we have drafted new planning controls to implement parts of the draft Structure Plan into the Darebin Planning Scheme.

At its meeting on December 18, 2023, the Council adopted the draft Structure Plan and associated planning controls to form a proposed planning scheme amendment for community and stakeholder consultation. Council resolved to request that the Minister for Planning authorise the commencement of Amendment 218dare.

The meeting minutes, relevant attachments, and the agenda can be found on Council’s website.

What's happened so far?

Community feedback in 2018 helped us shape the draft Vision for Future Preston. In 2022, we sought further community feedback on the draft Vision and supporting documents such as the draft Built Form Framework, and Land Use and Urban Design Issues and Opportunities Papers. Based on this feedback, in 2023 we developed a refreshed draft Preston Central Structure Plan 2023 and associated draft Activity Centre Zone (ACZ) planning controls to strengthen the future planning for the area. The draft Structure Plan articulates the vision and strategic framework for the Centre and identifies over 30 actions for implementation in the short, mid, and long term. It now forms the basis for the proposed Amendment C218dare to the Darebin Planning Scheme.

What's next?

Should the Minister authorise C218dare, the amendment will be formally exhibited, and community and stakeholders will have an opportunity to make submissions on the proposed structure plan and associated planning controls. Updates will be published on this page.

Complete the Community Survey below!

Start by registering with YourSay Darebin.

Our community survey is divided into three parts:

SURVEY PART A: Provide your feedback on the Vision for Future Preston Central, the draft Preston Central Built Form Framework and the proposed strategic actions for Preston Central.

SURVEY PART B (LOCAL PRECINCT DESIGN): Let us know what you think of the local Preston Central precinct design objectives and controls.

MAP PART C: Tell us where you think the issues and opportunities are in Preston Central.

Your input will directly impact the strategies and policies implemented in Preston Central.

Enhancing the unique character of Preston Central's precincts - Survey PART B (closed)

The commercial land in Preston Central is divided into six precincts each having its unique identity and character.

The Built Form Framework proposes a number of design objectives for each area of Preston Central intended to maintain and enhance the character of each precinct.

We want your feedback on the design objectives for Preston Central’s unique precincts.

Click on any of the icons in the map below for more information about the design objectives in each precinct. Provide your feedback to questions specific to each area.

You can choose to respond to as many of the precincts you feel are important to you, or click next at the bottom this page to skip to the next survey question.

Help us identify the issues and opportunities in Preston Central - Survey PART C (closed)

Darebin City Council will be preparing strategic directions to bring the Vision for future Preston Central to life. As part of this work, we did background research to identify opportunities for development in Preston Central.

Read the Summary Document

Read the Future Preston Urban Design Issues and Opportunities Paper (2020)

Read the Land Use Challenges and Opportunities Paper (2020)

We invite you to provide feedback on the key draft opportunities we have identified to date, and to let us know if we’ve missed any, by telling us where you think the issues and opportunities for Preston Central are located on the map below.

You can provide feedback on issues and opportunities relating to the below areas. You can choose to tell us in your comment which area described below your comment relates to.

The Project Area

The project covers the Preston Central Activity Centre.

The draft Preston Central Built Form Framework has been prepared for the commercial land along the High Street and Bell Street corridor, where the Priority Development Zone applies. It includes the Civic Precinct, where Preston City Hall and Library are located.

The existing Preston Central Structure Plan covers a broader area. It includes adjacent education precincts (such as Melbourne Polytechnic and Preston High School), public open spaces (such as Preston Oval) and surrounding residential areas with a strong functional relationship with the centre or are undergoing substantial transformation.

Please note this project does not include the ‘Preston Market’ which is being planned by Victorian Planning Authority through a separate planning process.

Have your say

Help us shape the future of Preston Central

In 2018, you provided feedback and information that helped develop the Draft Vision for Future Preston. We are preparing strategic directions for Preston Central to bring that vision to life.

Council now invites you to provide feedback on these planning documents. By providing feedback, you can influence the future of Preston Central to ensure it reflects the needs and priorities of our community.

Read the Fact Sheet Document	Read the Summary Document

There are a range of ways to provide feedback by 8 August 2022:

- Providing online feedback by completing the survey above

- Visiting one of our Customer Service Centres and completing a hardcopy survey

- Attending a pop-up session

- Registering to an online session or a targeted workshop most relevant to you

Attend a pop-up session (closed)

Register for an online session or a targeted workshop most relevant to you (closed)

What else is happening now?

Community consultation on a new Housing Strategy and Neighbourhood Character Study for Darebin has also been completed. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

Visit yoursay.darebin.vic.gov.au/housing to find out more.