New Sydney Fish Market To Attract 6 Million Visitors
The Sydney Fish Market is one of the city’s great attractions but our world famous harbour deserves something even better. The current facilities are tired and run down so we have given the green light to develop a brand new $250 million fish market on an adjacent site at Blackwattle Bay.
More than three million people visit the fish market every year so we are investing in one of the city’s biggest drawcards to create an attraction that takes full advantage of its incredible location, while remaining the busy marketplace it is today for our commercial fishing, and other fresh produce industries.
Sydneysiders would remember numerous promises that have been made over the years from previous governments about upgrading the Sydney Fish Market, but this Government has taken on the challenge and will ensure it finally gets off the ground.
As part of the plan, brand new food and dining facilities will be built on Sydney Harbour to attract foodies and tourists. We want to build a market that will attract six million people every year – double the current number – and one that rivals other fish markets around the world, such as Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market, which has become a tourist destination in its own right.
An historic agreement has been reached between UrbanGrowth NSW and the leaseholders of the Sydney Fish Market to proceed to the next stage of the development of the new market. We are calling for registrations of interest from Australia and around the world to attract leading design and engineering experts to come up with a vision for the market. We want the new market to take advantage of its stunning location.
It will be constructed at Blackwattle Bay with levels under the waterline, new mooring space for the city’s fishing vessels, and public access from Wentworth Park. Visitors will still be able to enjoy their fish and chips in an outdoor dining area and a rooftop bar could also be on the cards, depending on the final design.
Importantly, the existing Sydney Fish Market will also remain open while we build the new one to allow businesses to continue to operate.
The project cost will be offset by a mixed-use development on the site of the present fish market and car park. Wentworth Park will not be affected by the project. The new market will not include any residential development. Construction of the new fish market is expected to commence in late 2018.
In other news, defense lawyer and refugee advocate Deng Adut was named the 2017 NSW Australian of the Year at an event held at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Deng overcame personal adversity and tragedy to achieve success and now spends his time helping hundreds of people in the state’s Sudanese community navigate their way through the Australian legal system. He represents the very best of what makes our country great and his story inspires us all, particularly the newest members of the community who often arrive in our country seeking safety and access to the basic freedoms we enjoy as Australians.
Three other recipients were awarded on the night. The NSW Senior Australian is Dr John Knight AM, the NSW Young Australian of the Year is Arthur Alla, and Broken Hill volunteer Josephine Peter was named the NSW Local Hero.
I congratulate our latest NSW Australians of the Year and wish them the best of luck for the national awards, which will be held in Canberra on 25 January 2017.
