Sydney’s Blackwattle Bay (previously known as the Bays Market District) is set to get a major makeover with the New South Wales Government planning a major urban renewal to turn the area into a vibrant entertainment and cultural hub.
The NSW Government has now released plans for Blackwattle Bay precinct to the public, which will be on public exhibition until 6 August 2021.
Revitalisation of the precinct includes the relocation of Sydney Fish Market to new modern facilities, which will support the NSW seafood industry while creating a major tourist attraction for Sydney.
New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the rezoning would also include new public open space to join up a 15 kilometre harbourside walk.
“Our vision for Blackwattle Bay would see new public open space equivalent to one and a half football fields and a foreshore promenade that will complete the 15-kilometre continuous harbourside walk from Woolloomooloo to Rozelle Bay,” Mr Stokes said.
“Twelve redevelopment sites are proposed which will boost new housing by 1,550 dwellings and create the opportunity for more than 5,600 jobs.”
The renewal project will deliver a range of community and cultural facilities including local community buildings for facilities such as libraries, childcare facilities, and community centres, and a feature building in the public domain adjacent to Sydney Fish Market for cultural uses, as well as a publicly accessible foreshore promenade providing continuous foreshore access between Glebe Island Bridge and the new Sydney Fish Market.
“These plans are part of the broader Pyrmont Place Strategy to revitalise what is the western gateway to the CBD and accommodate for future growth,” Mr Stokes said.
“Sydney Fish Market has been home to world-class seafood for decades but it’s time to give this much-loved location a makeover for the Sydney community and visitors.”
Sydney Fish Market is being relocated to the head of Blackwattle Bay and the government-owned and private lands of the old fish market site will become a mixed use precinct providing homes, jobs and open space on the Blackwattle Bay foreshore.
Mr Stokes added that the plan for Blackwattle Bay included new transport options to connect the precinct with the CBD and Greater Sydney, such as the new Pyrmont Metro station, pedestrian and cycling links.
The feedback from exhibition will be compiled into a Summary of Submissions report and Infrastructure NSW (INSW) will have the opportunity to provide a Response to Submissions report before a final assessment is undertaken by the department in collaboration with the City of Sydney.
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