Urban space has always been a class issue. Profit-seeking developers stand on one side and residents and ordinary people who favor the social good on the other. Whoever wins conflicts like this determines what gets ripped down or built up, where that happens, and for what purpose.

In Melbourne, the latest battle in the war over development is playing out over the much-loved Preston Market in the city’s north. Lawyered-up billionaire developers are planning to almost entirely demolish the market so they can cram the site with a shopping mall and apartment buildings. Meanwhile, a spirited campaign led by locals to save the market is gaining momentum and popular support.

Over the last month, the contest has played out in hearings held by the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA). It’s more than a case study in the politics of development. It’s a David and Goliath battle reminiscent of The Castle — and the outcome could determine the future of a much-loved community asset.