Preston (High Street)

Planning for a thriving Preston

We’re creating the Preston (High Street) Activity Centre Plan to guide what Preston could look like over the next 10, 20 and 30 years.

The plan aligns with the City of Darebin’s Draft Preston Central Structure Plan, which covers the activity centre ‘core’. It proposes more homes closest to the new Preston Station and the local trams, shops and services along High Street.

In the surrounding ‘catchment’, within 10 minutes’ walk of the activity centre core, the plan proposes lower-rise apartments and townhouses.

As you move away from the commercial and community core of the activity centre, the proposed building heights gradually decrease, creating a transition between the activity centre and the surrounding suburb.

A new streamlined planning process in the activity centre core aims to make sure more of the right types of homes can be built faster.

We’re in the process of finalising the plans with the aim to implement them in early 2025.

Once the plans are finalised and in place, Preston will gradually change over the next few decades, growing into a more lively, inclusive and sustainable local community, and providing some of the new homes we need between now and 2051.

How your feedback is helping to shape our plans

We heard from the Preston community, and your feedback is helping to shape our plans:

• We’re using your feedback to update the walkable catchment by reducing the boundary and limiting where buildings over three storeys are permitted.
• We heard that upgrading local infrastructure is important for supporting more homes, so we’re introducing a new funding mechanism to raise funds for new and upgraded local infrastructure.
• Your feedback about overshadowing is helping us refine our plans to make sure important parks, streets and places remain sunny all year round.

Your key to the Preston (High Street) Activity Centre

The Preston (High Street) Activity Centre will provide a range of homes and building types for a mix of people through all stages of life across the suburb. The proposed plan for Preston includes medium and low-rise buildings in the catchment, and taller buildings in the activity centre core.

The plan’s precincts and controls aim to make sure the right types of homes are built in the places they fit best. These are some of the kinds of homes you might see more of in the future.

More on the Activity Centres Program

Find out more about how we’re planning for more homes close to public transport, jobs and services:

• Why we plan for activity centres
• About our plans
• Supporting liveable activity centres
• What this means for you

Page last updated: 23/02/25