Melbourne’s beloved Preston Market will be protected for years to come thanks to new planning controls introduced by the Andrews Labor Government to preserve the market’s rich heritage, while boosting housing choice.

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny today announced that new planning controls, including a Heritage Overlay, have been introduced into the Darebin Planning Scheme to guide future development of the precinct.

It follows advice from an independent advisory committee that found more work was needed to protect the heritage significance of the market.

The new planning controls will require the substantial retention of the existing market, while allowing renewal of the precinct to deliver more than 1000 new homes.

The Preston Market Precinct has been identified as a key strategic site and provides an opportunity to deliver greater housing choice and employment opportunities for future generations.

The Precinct is between the new Preston Station and the High Street shops, and its renewal will create more housing options for people close to family and friends, jobs, community infrastructure and public transport.

A precinct-specific Development Plan Overlay and Heritage Overlay will assist in protecting the historical, aesthetic, technical and social significance of the market.

The amendment also includes an Activity Centre Zone, Development Contributions Plan Overlay, Environmental Audit Overlay, a Heritage Overlay and a Parking Overlay to help implement the recommended planning controls.

Development cannot commence until a development plan that complies with the new requirements has been approved by the Minister for Planning. The Minister will also be responsible for all planning permits in the precinct.