Blackwattle Bay: NSW government approves Bank Street Park near Anzac Bridge in Pyrmont

Construction is set to finally begin on a long-awaited state government promise to transform land which has been locked off from the community for decades into a new waterfront park at Blackwattle Bay.

Construction is set to finally begin on a long-awaited state government promise to transform land which has been locked off from the community for decades into a new waterfront park at Blackwattle Bay after it was given the planning green light.

As part of the state government’s commitment to “building better communities”, the new park at Bank Street will give locals open space and mark the first of many public benefits which will be delivered as part of Blackwattle Bay’s renewal.

A formal process to officially name the park will commence as construction is tipped to start sometime next year.

The park will compliment the 1500 new homes next door slated for the new Blackwattle Bay precinct.

View from the proposed cafe looking towards the new Sydney Fish Market.

Bank Street Park will feature a foreshore promenade which will ultimately form part of a 15km continuous harbourside walk between Woolloomooloo and Rozelle Bay, making it one of longest harbourfront walkways in the country.

Other features of the park will include a permanent outdoor multipurpose sports court, inclusive play space and fitness stations, water access and storage for dragon boats, a new launch jetty for recreational paddle craft, a new waterfront cafe with public amenities and an adaptive reuse of buildings along Bank Street.

Lands and property minister Steve Kamper said the announcement was an “important milestone and win” for not just the local community, but also visitors to Blackwattle Bay.

“The NSW Government is focused on not only building more housing, but building better communities,” Mr Kamper said.

“This park will transform Blackwattle Bay and will provide water access and a place to play and relax on Sydney’s iconic waterfront.”

Sports court and open space at the proposed new park on Sydney Harbour.

Aerial artist impression of Blackwattle Bay with the new Sydney Fish Market.

With the park “right on the doorstep” of the Sydney Fish Market, Mr Kamper said it would become a community meeting place where people could kayak or paddleboard and also stroll along the foreshore.

Planning and public spaces minister Paul Scully said after decades of the land being closed off to the community, planning approval had allowed it to be returned to locals.

The park was designed by award-winning landscape architects OCULUS with the help of Collins + Turner, Greenaway Architects and Greenshoot Consulting, with First Nation’s design principles taken into account.

Mr Scully said the state government would now “find a partner to build the park”.

“This new park will be the first piece in the wider development of Blackwattle Bay and making Sydney Harbour more accessible for leisure activities, including private paddle craft, walking and cycling,” Mr Scully said.