The fate of the historic Preston market hangs in the balance as discussions between its private owners, the City of Darebin, the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) and the local community continue.
Last Saturday a large crowd gathered by the Preston oval for the Protect Preston Market Community Picnic organised by Darebin Council. They voiced their support for the multicultural market which has stood proud between Cramer Street and Murray Road since 1970.
The market was envisioned by its original owner and developer, Holocaust survivor, Leon Jolson, as a traditional open-air European style market, a place of noise and excitement.
“It was a labour of love for them. They found the ideal place to set up among Preston’s working class in those years. You know this whole area used to be a tannery,” says Dimitris (Jim) Katsaros.
Katsaros and his wife Athina took over what is now Athina’s Deli in 2011. It sits at the mouth of the market on The Centreway, the site’s main thoroughfare.
“But I’ve been coming to the market since I arrived in this country as an 11-year-old from Greece, might as well be forever,” Katsaros said.
“The market’s current owners took it over about 16 years ago. Over the last decade there have been several plans put forward, and finally they are moving to redevelop 4.5 hectares of the market and surrounds to accommodate apartment complexes.”
“The original plans they tendered to the VPA proposed 2,200 apartments in buildings up to 20 storeys high. Demolishing most of the market and relocating all but the fruit and veg stands to east towards Mary Street.”
Jim believes that if the market were to move outside its original footprint, it would lose its essence.
“The feeling of community would disappear.”
“This market is the northern suburbs’ central point for cultural exchange. People from all walks of life come here to have a day out, socialise and shop affordably. Not to mention its significance to our migrant communities,” Katsaros told Neos Kosmos.
It is the idea of sacrificing the market’s much-loved structure which rubs locals the wrong way.
“Let me put it this way, you can have as many Westfield’s as you like but you’ll never have another Preston market… there’s nothing like it. Why would you extinguish such a thing when you can renew and revitalise the existing structure while building around it? We need to find a happy compromise.”
“At the end of the day I think it comes down to greed,” Katsaros said.
Sam Tarascio, Managing Director of Salta Properties, said the Market will remain the heart and soul of Preston under the developer’s proposal.
“While it will be a very different precinct, it will be one that will enable first home buyers, young families and those who have longed dreamed of Preston but couldn’t afford a house to access the wonderful suburb,” Tarascio said in a statement supplied to Neos Kosmos.
The site, jointly owned by Salta Properties and Medich Corporation had its planning scheme fast-tracked by the VPA after an announcement in August 2020 under the authority’s urban renewal initiative; a part of the Victorian Government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
In the current plan large portions of the market, the entire fresh meat and deli sections and the ‘Centreway’ would be demolished to make way for “mixed-use development.”
The revised plans released by the VPA will allow for “approximately 1200” apartments to be built under land-use provisions.
However, broad community sentiment is in stark contrast to this proposal. Members from Darebin Council and members of the Save the Preston Market Action Group took to the podium on Saturday to pledge their support for the market and called on attendees to stand up for the place they love.
Cries of ‘Save the Preston market’ punctuated the speakers’ words.
“Although this movement has been going on for a number of years, this picnic really marks the start of our do-or-die battle to save the Preston market, it’s as simple as that,” Con Lambros, from the Save the Preston Market action group, told Neos Kosmos.
“As for our local Greek community it’s not a polarising question, they support the market to remain where it is.”
“The opportunity now for the voting public of Darebin is to press their local politicians as to what their specific policy platform is in regard to saving the market in its current footprint,” Lambros said.
Gaetano Greco, a prominent figure in the local Darebin community and former mayor is contesting the state seat for the district of Preston as an independent in the upcoming November state election.
“One of the main reasons I’m standing in this election is to save the Preston Market which is the beating heart and soul of Preston and should be in public hands like the Victoria Market,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“The market is a chronograph of our areas migration history. It’s a real heritage asset and should be protected as such.”
“If you get rid of the market you get rid of an icon, a continuing and living example of the multiculturalism we hold so dear.”
“At the end of the day the decision as to the fate of the market is in the hands of the Minister for Planning. It’s a simple political question: do you want the market, or do you want it gone for good?” Greco asked.
Neos Kosmos sought comment from the Minister for Planning, Lizzie Blandthorn’s office but did not receive a reply to our queries prior to our deadline.
“From doorknocking to community meetings, the message is clear. The community wants the market to stay.”
Darebin’s Mayor Lina Messina said “the market’s social value is an indispensable part of Darebin’s character.”
“We want to ensure it is safe for generations, with community support we can get a better outcome.”
“We’re not opposing any development it’s not about that, it’s about what’s socially and culturally appropriate for our area,” she said.
Both Darebin council and the ‘Save the Preston Market Action Group’ have produced alternate plans for the market’s redevelopment which alongside community submissions and petitions, were presented to the VPA’s Standing Advisory Committee this month when hearings began on October 3.