Port Adelaide study shows $60m fish market could create 300 jobs and be a tourism drawcard
ADELAIDE seafood lovers could be in for a treat if the recommendations of a study for a $60 million fish market – that could create more than 300 jobs – are implemented.
A $60 MILLION fish market in Port Adelaide has taken a huge leap forward with the release of a feasibility study that shows it could create more than 300 jobs and become a tourism drawcard.
The $15,000 study into the construction of a fish market at Dock Two found the site had the “potential to provide an industry-defining seafood precinct” with wholesale, commercial, retail and tourism businesses opportunities.
The council is now asking for a $10 million State Government investment in the first stage of the fish market, which could begin by 2020 if it is included in the master plan for development at Dock Two.
The overwhelmingly positive study — conducted by a private consultancy firm and funded by Port Adelaide Enfield Council and the State Government’s Northern Economic Plan — is the first step towards including the fish market in Dock Two’s master plan.
In its own report to councillors, the council says the feasibility study shows the market could be a considerable tourism drawcard for the area. “The fishing industry in South Australia is worth $2.2 billion and this investment would go a long way to securing a sustainable and profitable industry for decades to come,” it says.
“The Fish Market will also assist to activate the maritime precinct and support residential developments at Dock One.”
The study says the development of the fish market would take place in three stages.
The first would be the construction of the actual fish market, which would provide an outlet for 850 South Australian fishing companies to sell their produce.
The second stage would be a seafood restaurant and the third an exporting facility.
The council will now discuss the results of the study with Renewal SA, the State Government agency overseeing Port Adelaide’s redevelopment, in a bid to have the fish market included in the master plan.
That plan, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year, also proposes turning the site into a home for heritage vessels the City of Adelaide clipper and the schooner Nelcebee.
The council is requesting that Renewal SA allocate land at Dock Two for the fish market as well as contribute $10 million toward the first stage of development — despite not investing further in the project itself.
A spokeswoman for Renewal SA said it was liaising with fishermen who had contributed to the study.
“This includes exploring how the site can accommodate possible requirements such as building floor areas, dock access, traffic access and other functional matters,” she said.
Tom Consentino, a consultant with Wildcatch Fisheries, the peak body for the commercial fishing industry, said the “ best thing about this project is it was driven by the fishermen, it wasn’t born in some boardroom in the city”.
“The Port is in dire need of rejuvenation but there are huge opportunities,” Mr Consentino said.
“The fish market would be fantastic for our licence holders because they could bring all of their produce together. The fish market would also be a huge tourist attraction — we expect it would be very similar to the Sydney Fish Market and 30 per cent of tourists from China visit the fish market, which is millions of people each year, and we think it would be the same for Adelaide.”
SEAFOOD LOVERS’ HEAVEN
Karen Holder and her husband, Dennis, of Port Adelaide, operate the largest commercial blue swimmer crab fishing business in Australia, handling about 250 tonnes a year.
Mrs Holder said she thought a fish market in the Port would be fantastic.
“I think it would give us an opportunity to interact with the public and tell our story,” Mrs Holder said.
“I’ve lived in the Port for 28 years and I would be really keen to see it happen.”
“The Fish Market will also assist to activate the maritime precinct and support residential developments at Dock One,” the council’s report says.