Tuesday, 20 June 2023

 Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (13:15): I rise to update my community on a local issue that has caused deep concern and distress, and that is the fate of the innovation precinct at Wingrove Street in Alphington. After months of uncertainty we now know Alphington Farmers Market will live to fight another day – Darebin council has offered them a new lease. But the same cannot be said of the vast majority of businesses that once made up this vibrant startup ecosystem. Darebin council has painted this as a win, as though we should be grateful that the market did not get sent to the wall like dozens of others. The reality is that my community has witnessed the ruthless decimation of a precinct that once buzzed with entrepreneurs, artists and innovators. From beekeepers to brewers, antique restoration to cutting-edge carbon engineering, they have all been told to go. It is a devastating blow to local traders, local jobs and our innovation economy. Our community deserves better. Most concerningly, there is now nothing preventing Darebin council from seeking to sell off parts of this sensitive and valuable riverfront land that is no longer in use. Let us hope they have more sense. I am calling on Darebin council to commit to retaining the land for the benefit of the community and undertaking comprehensive consultation on its future use. It will take a lot of rebuilding to get this site humming again, but we cannot afford to lose it. This precinct encapsulated the very best of what the inner north has to offer: creativity, innovation, sustainability and collaboration. Darebin council needs to honour these values in its future plans.