Sydney’s Blackwattle Bay has taken a major step forward with an Expressions of Interest process opened today, seeking a development partner to renew a 3.6 hectare parcel of government-owned land currently home to the Sydney Fish Market.
The NSW Government will also seek to increase the residential housing on the site to help address the states housing crisis. Previously the land-use controls were to have roughly 50% commercial and 50% residential – the new controls will aim to change this to about 30% commercial and 70% residential, adding approximately 300 additional homes, said Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper.
Partnering with the private sector will enable the NSW Government to deliver high quality public places, including a foreshore promenade, and more than three hectares of public open space. Revenue generated from securing a development partner will go directly to NSW Treasury to fund the delivery of the state’s housing initiatives, the Minister said.
“We are starting work on the last piece of the Blackwattle Bay puzzle. The NSW Government is focused on delivering housing and building communities,” he said.
“Blackwattle Bay will provide much-needed housing supply, while unlocking the economic and social potential of the area and creating thousands of jobs.”
The Minister said the 30,000 square metres of public domain will be prioritised for delivery, with a planning determination for the new 1.1 hectare Bank Street Park expected shortly.
This project is the last piece of the Blackwattle Bay puzzle, a 10-hectare precinct bookended by the new Sydney Fish Market and the new Bank Street Park under the Anzac Bridge.
“Once complete, the precinct will be connected to a range of local public transport options, public open space and the iconic new Sydney Fish Market which is expected to welcome over 6 million visitors per year,” said Minister Kamper.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Blackwattle Bay into a lively world-class waterfront precinct alongside Sydney’s harbour, for all to enjoy.”
As part of the renewal, access to and from the area will be improved with the future Pyrmont Metro Station nearby, while new parks, walkways, cycleways, and a 20-30 metre wide foreshore promenade will complete a 15-kilometre continuous harbourside walk between Woolloomooloo and Rozelle Bay.
Expressions of Interest are now open for qualified and experienced developers to help deliver the precinct, with submissions closing on 19 August 2024. Find out more information about the Blackwattle Bay Precinct.