Future Preston Central Project

Preston Central (High Street) is designated as a Major Activity Centre in the State Government’s Plan Melbourne 2017 - 2050, the strategy for supporting jobs, housing, and transport in Melbourne over the next 25 years. 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.

Where are we now?

Council is not currently consulting on the Future Preston Central Project. As part of their Activity Centre Program, the state government is currently leading the consultation process.

At a Council meeting on December 18, 2023, the Council adopted the draft Preston Central Structure Plan and associated planning controls and resolved to request that the Minister for Planning authorise the commencement of Amendment C218dare to exhibit the documents to the community.

Following the release of the Housing Statement by the State Government in late 2023, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) are leading the planning for the Centre as part of their Activity Centres Program.

State-led community consultation

Phase 1 of the state-led Activity Centre Program's community engagement concluded on April 29, 2024. The findings are now available on the VPA website.

Phase 2 of the community engagement process is currently live on the Engage Victoria website and will close on Sunday, September 29, 2024. As part of Phase 2, the state government is consulting with the community on the draft Preston (High Street) Activity Centre Plan. This draft Plan states that the land use and built form in the Preston (High Street) Activity Centre are proposed to be guided by the Council's draft Preston Central Structure Plan (adopted 2023).

  • Check the VPA website for further project updates

    The State government is consulting the community on the Draft Preston (High Street) Activity Centre Plan. It progresses the vision and strategic directions outlined in Darebin’s Draft Preston Central Structure Plan (2023), while also offering further planning guidance for the catchment area.

    Make your submission and complete the survey 

  • Victorian Government's Housing Statement

    On September 20 2023, the Premier of Victoria released the Housing Statement with the target of increasing housing supply. Preston Central (High Street) has been identified as one of the ten major activity centres through the Activity Centres Program. This is a joint program between the Department of Transport and Planning and VPA. The program will enable the delivery of an estimated 60,000 homes.


  • Awaiting Minister's decision on Amendment C218dare

    At the December 2023 meeting Council resolved to request the Minister for Planning to authorise the preparation and exhibition of Amendment C218dare to the Darebin Planning Scheme and a supporting document. Council is yet to receive a decision on the authorisation request.

Amendment C218dare


What has happened so far?

Community feedback in 2018 (Stage 1) helped us shape the draft Vision for Future Preston. In 2022 (Stage 2), 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 (Stage 3) 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 else is happening now?

Consultation on the draft Darebin Housing Strategy is open till 13 September 2024. Visit yoursay.darebin.vic.gov.au/housing to find out more.