Blackwattle Bay

The Blackwattle Bay State Significant Precinct is an exciting urban renewal opportunity that will make the harbour foreshore more accessible and attractive. The foreshore promenade will link 15 kilometres of Sydney Harbour foreshore walks from Woolloomooloo to Rozelle and beyond.

Revitalisation of the precinct includes the approved 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 web page.

View the Blackwattle Bay precinct map (PDF, 2.74 MB).

State Significant Precinct Study

The rezoning investigation for Blackwattle Bay was undertaken in accordance with the State Significant Precinct (SSP) process. Infrastructure NSW (INSW) prepared the SSP Study, master plan 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. The department has published the feedback received, including a summary of submissions and the issues raised alongside the department’s assessment letter. These documents and submissions can be viewed at the Planning Portal.

INSW submitted the Response to Submissions report together with amendments to the proposed masterplan and draft planning controls. The department welcomed feedback on these documents from 28 July to 26 August 2022.

The key changes made by INSW in response to public, organisation and government agency comments and submissions include:

• reductions in the height of buildings
• reduction in density by 15% with approximately 34,500 square metres less gross floor area
• reduction in new residents by 29% (840 fewer residents from exhibited plan)
• revisions to the land use mix to align with the Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy job and resident targets
• revision of open space strategy, including widened foreshore and promenade and permanent boardwalk
• commitment to provision of supporting infrastructure and more affordable housing
• adoption of progressive sustainability targets and initiatives
• strengthened commitment to Aboriginal cultural and designing with Country
• reduction in private vehicle reliance with 37% fewer car parking spaces
• refinements to built form, improving sunlight access and wind performance to public space
• commitment to Design Excellence for new buildings and public space
• additional mitigation measures to improve amenity for residents and workers, and maritime safety
• strengthened role as vibrant and diverse urban quarter supporting a 24 hour economy with cultural, entertainment, arts and leisure activities consistent with the Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy.

For a detailed list of all changes, you can view INSW’s Response to Submissions report on the Planning Portal.

View the documents on the Planning Portal

The revised proposal has the potential to deliver:

• around 97,500 square metres of residential GFA allowing for approximately 1200 apartments with a population of around 2400 residents
• building envelopes allowing for towers of up to 35 storeys (RL 141 metres) transitioning to lower buildings of 4-8 storeys reflecting the context of the site
• approximately 107,000 square metres of commercial GFA, and approximately 21,000 square metres of retail GFA allowing for approximately 5600 new jobs 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
• over 30,000 square metres of parks, waterfront promenade and public space
• contributions towards and provisions for community and cultural uses such as libraries, childcare facilities and/or community centres in the area.

The department is now assessing the revised proposal in collaboration with the City of Sydney, Transport for NSW and the NSW Office of the Government Architect.

What happens next?

The department is now assessing the revised proposal in collaboration with the City of Sydney, Transport for NSW and the NSW Office of the Government Architect. This assessment will include consideration of the feedback collected on INSW’s Response to Submissions report.

Once the assessment is completed, the department will make a recommendation to the Minister for Planning 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.

Sign-up for more information on Blackwattle Bay