Blackwattle Bay

Blackwattle Bay (previously known as the Bays Market District) is an urban renewal opportunity to deliver a more accessible and attractive Harbour foreshore.

A key catalyst for the revitalisation of the precinct is the relocation of the Sydney Fish Market. The new Sydney Fish Market will provide modern facilities to support the NSW seafood industry. It has been designed by leading architects fitting for one of Sydney’s major tourist attractions. The new Sydney Fish Market was approved by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces in June 2020.

The rezoning investigation for Blackwattle Bay is being undertaken in accordance with the State Significant Precinct (SSP) process. The assessment process is led by the department and involves collaboration with the City of Sydney Council and local communities.

What’s happened so far?

In April 2016 the Minister for Planning agreed to investigate Bays Market District as a potential SSP following a request from UrbanGrowth (now Infrastructure NSW). Study requirements prepared by the department and the City of Sydney Council were issued in April in 2017.

Infrastructure NSW (INSW) is currently preparing the SSP Study and proposed planning controls for the precinct. This involves INSW collaboratively working with the department, City of Sydney Council and other government agencies and engaging in community consultation. INSW is now gathering feedback to help develop planning controls for Blackwattle Bay and you can visit the INSW website to have your say on the proposed options.

What happens next?

• INSW will finalise preparation of its SSP Study including a proposed planning framework and lodge it with the department.
• The department with support from the City of Sydney will undertake a Test of Adequacy to determine if the proposal documentation is adequate for public exhibition.
• The department will then exhibit the SSP Study and proposed planning framework so that the community can have their say.
• The feedback from exhibition will then be compiled into a Summary of Submissions report and 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.
• Once the assessment is completed, the department will make a recommendation to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces regarding potential rezoning of the precinct.

More information

Further information on the project and community consultation opportunities can be found on the Infrastructure NSW website.

This precinct also adjoins the Bays West precinct, if you are interested to hear more about it, you can visit our Bays West page.

The department is currently developing the Place Strategy for the Pyrmont Peninsula. The Place Strategy will encompass identification and characterisation of Blackwattle Bay. Find out what’s happening on the Pyrmont Peninsula page.

Blackwattle Bay boundary map

Blackwattle Bay precinct includes land at the southern and eastern edges of Blackwattle Bay bounded by Bridge Road to the south and Bank Street to the east and the waters of Blackwattle Bay from Glebe Island Bridge to Blackwattle Bay Park.

Note: you can click on the map below to view a larger version.

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