Darebin Appropriate Development Association

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Darebin Appropriate Development Association Charter (November, 2022)   Since 2005 Darebin Appropriate Development Association DADA, is a group of residents of Darebin concerned with inappropriate development. DADA represents and provides assistance to residents who might feel unheard and powerless when development is happening near them. DADA acts to preserve the nature and character of our welcoming community and influence planning at all levels of government to ensure appropriate … Read More.. about About DADA

A Short Political History of the Community Fight to Save Preston Market

In the 9 years to date, community groups, including Darebin Ratepayers, Darebin Progress Association and DADA, have combined to prevent the owner/developer from destroying Preston Market.

From that early time, the community campaign evolved in its membership and connections to advocate with various State Government departments, Darebin Council, politicians and political parties and Councillors.

The “People for Preston Market” was launched in July 2014 as an election issue for the Greens candidates in the Darebin Council election, although no Greens Councillor has ever been actively involved in the community fight.

In 2016, the baton was handed to “Save Our Preston Market” and saw the battle lines drawn between Greens, Labor and Independent candidates to use the community campaign for their political advantage in the Council election of that year.

The well attended rally in May of that year saw many candidates turn out for the photo op.  For the first time, the Vic Socialists were represented by the City of Yarra Councillor Steven Jolly who orated on the corner of Murray Rd and Mary St.

SOPM continued to drive the community effort with DADA through VCAT mediation and a 7 day VCAT hearing in 2017.

SOPM was effectively dissolved by the time DADA made an application to Heritage Vic. for Preston Market to be listed on the State Heritage Register in 2018. The community effort was essentially driven by DADA and a single Darebin Councillor.

“Save The Preston Market Coalition” was convened in 2020 by a Darebin Councillor with a SOPM Facebook administrator and DADA reps.  It was a small group which then morphed into “Save the Preston Market Action Group” in 2021 and chiefly consisted of an independent Darebin Councillor, members of the Victorian Socialists and DADA reps along with concerned community members.

In the course of ongoing change, community members with political aspirations have joined and tried to influence or control our work, while we have strived to remain true to our charter. https://www.darebinada.org/about-dada

DADA is not aligned with any political group or politician and is dedicated to our community with the view to making our neighbourhoods a better place to live.