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About the project
The sites are 9km from the CBD in the City of Darebin. They are close to transport, education facilities, employment, support services and shopping precincts, making them ideal to deliver a new community.
The homes were built in the 1950s and no longer meet the needs of today’s Victorians and we are working to deliver integrated communities with social, affordable and private housing options to meet a greater range of housing need.
The Victorian Government is joining with development partners – MAB corporation and community housing provider HousingFirst – to completely rebuild the Preston estates and deliver more social housing to better meet demand.
The new homes will be modern, accessible, safe, secure and energy efficient with a five-star Green Star rating and a seven-star NaTHERS average rating.
The project will replace 26 ageing public housing homes at Oakover Road with a mixed development of approximately 560 homes. It will include up to 99 modern social housing homes and 461 private homes.
The redevelopment is funded by the Victorian Government and from the proceeds of the sale of some private housing being built on the site, which includes a proportion of private housing allocated for first home buyers.
Community benefits of the project include:
- New open spaces
- Buildings that are designed to make the most of the open space and public realm
- Durable, high-quality materials used in public spaces (including furniture, surface materials, lighting, and landscaping) to reflect the history and character of the area
- Improved pedestrian connectivity through the site
- An artist’s studio is also being considered for the site
Town planning
In 2011, Darebin Council commenced a review of land use and built form controls along St Georges Road and in 2013 prepared the St Georges Road Urban Design Framework. The council then prepared Planning Scheme Amendment C136, which changed the town planning controls for both Preston sites.
On 15 September 2016, the Minister for Planning approved Amendment C136 to the Darebin Planning Scheme. The amendment applied Development Plan Overlay 11 to both sites.
The project is currently in the planning stage and a development plan has been lodged with Darebin City Council.
Consultative committee
Community engagement is a key element of public housing redevelopment. The Department of Health and Human Services has established a Consultative Committee for the renewal of the Preston estate.
The committee is chaired by Kat Theophanous MP – State Member for Northcote.
The committee brings together key community members and representatives of local organisations to ensure effective communication throughout the estate renewal. It enables ongoing and two-way feedback through an active participatory approach with stakeholders and the community.
Members of the committee provide feedback on redevelopment plans and identify local issues and matters of concern as they arise. Members will provide input and effectively communicate back to their communities to support the successful delivery of the estate renewal.
Further information
Preston estate residents contact: relocations.north@dhhs.vic.gov.au
Email to register for project updates or send your questions to housing.renewal@dhhs.vic.gov.au