Regional site context As its social and economic capital, Preston is located at the heart of Darebin City, bounded by Thornbury to its south and Reservoir to its north, and located 9 km to the North-East of Melbourne CBD (City of Darebin, 2006, pg. 6). Containing both Preston Major Activity Centre and Northland Metropolitan Activity Centre and situated in close proximity to La Trobe National Employment and Innovation Cluster (see map. 1), Preston has become a focal point for an array of employment and economic developmental opportunities, attracting new businesses and investments (Victorian Planning Authority 2017, pg. 3 & 14), and increasing residential housing demand (View Bank Homes, 2020) with substantial increase in forecast population (.idcommunity, 2016).
Preston 2020: Regional Context map Map 1 – Preston 2020 regional context map (3DConsultants 2020)
The new Suburban Rail loop project is significant to the future growth of Preston in aiding its transformation from a largely residential suburb. Linking Reservoir to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport via rail line, the project will provide improved connectivity between Melbourne’s outer suburbs, thereby increasing employment opportunities and service facilities at the major interchange stations (State of Victoria 2020) which are in closer proximity to Preston with direct connectivity via existing train line (see map. 1). By relieving congestion and pressure on the train network with addition of new train lines and services (State of Victoria 2020), it will also encourage more public transport usage and thereby reduce car dependency. It would also potentially bring in new foreign residents with improved connectivity to the airport, thereby contributing to the multicultural identity of Preston.
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