The renewal of Oakover Road, Preston will replace old housing that does not meet the needs of those who live there with well designed, attractive homes that improve the local area.
Homes Victoria is joining with development partner MAB Corporation, and registered housing association HousingFirst, to redevelop the Preston site.
What you need to know
The project is located on Homes Victoria land at Oakover Road, Preston.
City of Darebin
The development at Preston will include 296 homes.
The Victorian Government is investing $112 million in the development at Oakover Road, Preston.
The development at Oakover Road, Preston will create over 880 jobs.
The development will include 5% of Disability Discrimination Act fully accessible homes.
Artist impression
Key features
- Safe and publicly accessible open and green spaces are a key feature of the redevelopment.
- Clear visual and movement linkages between the public domain such as streets, footpaths, bicycle paths, and public open spaces.
- The project will promote good design, make the most of open space and will incorporate Office of the Victorian Government Architect involvement and expertise in the development of design proposals for the site.
- The project will incorporate environmentally efficient design, meaning the homes will be more comfortable as well as less expensive to heat and cool carrying a 5-star Green Star rating and a 7-star NatHERS average rating.
- Durable, high-quality materials will be used in public spaces (including furniture, surface materials, lighting, and landscaping) to reflect the history and character of the area.
- An onsite HousingFirst office to support tenants.
- An artist's live/work studio.
- The redevelopment will include a range of dwellings including 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes, responding to the changing needs of Victorian households.
- All new social housing homes will have a minimum Silver level certification from Livable Housing Australia.
- At least 5% of the new social housing homes will be easy to access for Victorians with disabilities. This includes drop-off areas, paths, lifts and car parking. Inside the home, kitchens, bathrooms and storage will also be very accessible.
- Further information is available on the National Construction Code website.
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.
Development partner MAB Corporation will prepare a Development Plan for the site and Town Planning Permit Applications consistent with Planning Scheme Amendment C136 and Development Plan Overlay 11.
Community Committee
Community engagement is an important element of the project. The department has established a Community Committee for the renewal of the Preston site.
The committee is chaired by Kat Theophanous MP – State Member for Northcote.
The committee brings together important community members and representatives of local organisations to provide advice on the redevelopment of the site. It enables ongoing and two-way feedback through participation with the community and the stakeholders.
Members of the committee provide advice and feedback on redevelopment plans and identify local issues and matters of concern as they arise.
Committee members will communicate the progress of the redevelopment back to their communities to support the successful delivery of the project.
Contact us
Email icon: Phone icon:For languages other than English, please call 131 450.
Community newsletters
The latest community newsletter has updates on the progress of this important redevelopment project in Preston: