Tim Singh Laurence: Indepedent

1. To date, what actions have you taken to support the saving of the Preston Market? Please list your actions.

I have consistently voted to protect the market footprint, Height controls and heritage overlay since 2012. In recent 7 years I have supported heritage I have support the same position as Cr Greco and in this 4 year term we were able to get 5 out of 9 councillors supporting this.

2. Public acquisition of Preston Market will ensure the improvement, greening & community management of Preston Market. Do you support the public acquisition of Preston Market?  

I believe I am one of only 2 councillors who support Public acquisition of Preston Market by State Government. In addition to this I believe Darebin Council can do a land swap with other undeveloped land to acquire the public open space component in the market site to ensure the open space is maintained to a quality level like Preston City Oval and Ray Bramham Gardens.

The State Government via there development arm could purchase the majority of the site but council ownership of open space would create better open space than we see in Docklands.

3. The Victorian Planning Authority acknowledges that the planned Preston High Street Activity Centre will create up to 15,300 new dwellings & put more pressure on already lacking public open space in Preston. Do you agree that public acquisition of Preston Market is crucial to addressing this problem?

Yes. I do not agree with the doubling of Darebin Housing as it will create a massive deficit in open space in Preston. This intensification of population will require the creation of more open space on the Preston Market site and other nearby sites like the Darebin Council carpark to meet acceptable open space guidelines.

4. If you are elected, will you move a motion within the first 6 months to support & advocate for the public acquisition of the Preston Market?

If elected, I will move or second a notice of motion at the first ordinary meeting in November to support & advocate for the public acquisition of the Preston Market either by State Government or by State Government and Darebin Council for open space component.