Blackwattle Bay

Blackwattle Bay (previously known as the Bays Market District) is an exciting urban renewal opportunity that will make the harbour foreshore more accessible and attractive.

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. Find out more on the new Sydney Fish Market webpage.

The rezoning investigation for Blackwattle Bay was undertaken in accordance with the State Significant Precinct (SSP) process. 

It has also been informed by extensive consultation including earlier consultation in April and May 2020 on masterplan options by Infrastructure NSW.

View the Blackwattle Bay precinct map (2.74MB).

State Significant Precinct Study

Infrastructure NSW (INSW) has prepared the SSP Study and proposed planning controls for the precinct for assessment by the Department, in collaboration with the City of Sydney Council, Office of the Government Architect NSW and Transport for NSW.

The State Significant Precinct Study was on public exhibition for comment from 2 July to 20 August 2021. Thank you for your feedback, which will help shape the future of Blackwattle Bay. 

The feedback from exhibition has been compiled into a Summary of Submissions report and INSW is now preparing a Response to Submissions report before a final assessment is undertaken by the Department in collaboration with the City of Sydney, Transport for NSW and the NSW Office of the Government Architect.

You can see the Summary of Submissions report, the submissions and the Department’s recommendations to INSW together with the exhibition documents and proposed planning controls on the Planning Portal.

The renewal project will deliver:

• approximately 1550 dwellings providing for a population of around 2800 residents and commercial and retail floor space with potential to deliver 5600 jobs
• 12 building envelopes allowing for towers of up to 45 storeys (RL 156 metres) transitioning to lower buildings of 4-8 storeys reflecting the context of the site
• approximately 123,000 square metres of residential GFA
• approximately 138,000 square metres of non-residential GFA for commercial, retail and community facilities including the new Sydney Fish Market
• a publicly accessible foreshore promenade providing continuous foreshore access between Glebe Island Bridge and the new Sydney Fish Market, 30,000 square metres of public open space; and
• 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 noting that ongoing consultation will be undertaken to reach agreements on ownership, delivery and ongoing management of public facilities.

What happens next?

Once the study assessment is completed, the Department will make a recommendation to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces regarding potential rezoning of the precinct.

Consultation will be undertaken with the City of Sydney and other government agencies to confirm infrastructure needs and reach agreements for delivery and ongoing management.

Want to know more?

You can also find out more about our planning for Pyrmont Peninsula and Bays West. 

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