High Street is the heart of Preston – a vibrant retail, entertainment and civic hub for the Darebin community.

Earlier this year, we worked with you to shape the streetscape upgrade for High Street, Preston. To learn what we found please see the Community Engagement Report.

We now have a draft Concept Plan for the area, but before we take the next step, we want to know: have we got it right?

The Plan proposes safer crossings, wider footpaths, greener spaces and more places for outdoor dining. To deliver these improvements, we are proposing some changes, including the removal of clearways and dropping the speed to 30 km/h.

Please note, the delivery of the concept plan is subject to additional grant funding.

Let us know what you think of the plan and those ideas.

Your feedback is the final step to help transform High Street into a vibrant, welcoming space.

High Street Preston Streetscape Upgrade is a separate project to the Victorian Government’s Preston (High Street) Activity Centre Plan, which aims to create more homes in the Preston Activity Centre.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback and participated in the Stage 1 Community Engagement from 13 March to 6 April 2025. The consultation sought to better understand what local residents, businesses and visitors value about High Street.

Please see the engagement summary below or view the full Community Engagement report.

Help us transform High Street Preston

High Street will face rapid population growth over the next couple of decades which will change the way it is used and experienced.

High Street, from Bell Street to Murray Road, has been identified as a priority for a road upgrade through our annual road rehabilitation program. This will involve a complete road reconstruction, including replacing the old road base, upgrading the kerbs, and installing new footpaths.

This presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the High Street environment, and we want your ideas to reimagine what it could look like. We want to understand your priorities for making High Street safer and more accessible for all members of Darebin’s diverse and changing community into the future.

High Street Preston Streetscape Upgrade is a separate project to the Victorian Government’s Preston (High Street) Activity Centre Plan, which aims to create more homes in the Preston Activity Centre.