The Blackwattle Bay State Significant Precinct is an exciting urban renewal opportunity, making the harbour foreshore more accessible and attractive.
The precinct's proposed new 30 m wide waterfront promenade will complete the missing link of the 15 km foreshore walk from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo, and relocation of the Sydney Fish Market to new modern facilities, will support the NSW's seafood industry and create a major tourist attraction for Sydney.
State significant precinct rezoning
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (the Department) finalised the precinct rezoning in December 2022 with the new Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 (LEP) planning controls coming into effect on 8 September 2023.
The precinct enables:
- transformation of the waterfront industrial and commercial precinct into a vibrant mixed-use precinct with:
- around 97,500 m2 of residential gross floor area (GFA) allowing for approximately 1,200 apartments with a population of around 2,400 residents
- approximately 100,000 m2 of commercial and retail GFA allowing for approximately 5,600 new jobs
- new buildings ranging from 6 storeys to 35 storeys in height
- new homes close to jobs and services with existing and proposed public transport, including the proposed Pyrmont metro station
- nearly 34,000 m2 of new interconnected parks and public space, including a 30 m wide foreshore promenade linking Glebe Island Bridge and the new Sydney Fish Market, and completing the harbour foreshore walk around the Pyrmont Peninsula
- a sustainable precinct that requires development to meet high sustainability criteria and demonstrate design excellence
- contributions towards and provisions for infrastructure, including community and cultural uses and affordable housing.
Read the final documents on the NSW Planning Portal.
Sydney Fish Market site – State assessed rezoning proposal
The land known as Area 17 is located at the existing Sydney Fish Market site in the Blackwattle Bay Precinct and is owned by Infrastructure NSW (INSW).
The Department received a proposal from INSW to rezone Area 17 at Blackwattle Bay as a state assessed rezoning proposal under the State Significant Rezoning Policy. The policy aims to identify land for rezoning to address the housing and employment needs of NSW’s growing population and reduce rezoning application timeframes.
The finalised rezoning proposal amends the planning controls in the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 (LEP) to allow for more residential floor space, supporting the delivery of approximately 320 additional homes near infrastructure, public transport, open space and jobs.
The Department publicly exhibited the draft Rezoning Proposal and supporting documentation from 12 December 2024 to 31 January 2025 and feedback helped informed the finalisation of the rezoning proposal.
Find out about how the Department responded to feedback by reading the finalisation report on the NSW Planning Portal or visit INSW Blackwattle Bay.
Voluntary Planning Agreement
The Department has finalised the infrastructure funding arrangements through a draft Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA).
The draft VPA was publicly exhibited from 12 December 2024 to 31 January 2025. More information can be found at the NSW Planning Portal or the NSW Planning Portal State Voluntary Planning Agreement register (reference number SVPA2024-3).
The VPA for Blackwattle Bay includes:
- substantial works contributions
- state monetary contribution towards the Pyrmont metro station
- a monetary contribution towards local infrastructure directly to council at an equivalent rate expected to be collected under a future Section 7.12 contributions plan
- significant land contributions for recreation, open space, local amenities and connectivity within the Blackwattle Bay Precinct.