Thursday, 16 November 2023

Northern Metropolitan Region

Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (12:46): (572) My constituency question is to the Minister for Planning. I would first like to acknowledge the work of the community campaign led by the Save the Preston Market group to protect this beloved community asset. Thanks to their tireless advocacy, the government recently announced some welcome protections for the market, and the developer for the site has announced that vendors will be offered five-year leases. We now hope the traders are not met with unreasonable rent increases and are instead supported to continue their businesses. The developer and the minister now plan to commence detailed planning for the site and its built form. Local residents are concerned that they will not be meaningfully consulted in this process or have opportunities to provide feedback on plans. Minister, can you please outline the government’s plans to ensure the community are kept updated about the detailed planning for the Preston Market site and what opportunities will be provided for community consultation on the final built form of the site?