NSW Government to deliver 300 new homes as the final piece of the ‘Blackwattle Bay puzzle’

In what will be the “last piece of the Blackwattle Bay puzzle”, the NSW Government is planning to alter planning controls at the Sydney Fish Market to add about 300 new homes to the area.

Aerial view of the existing Sydney Fish Market site at Blackwattle Bay.

In what will be the “last piece of the Blackwattle Bay puzzle”, the NSW Government, in a bid to tackle the states housing crisis, is planning to alter planning controls at the Sydney Fish Market to add about 300 new homes to the area.

Sydney’s Blackwattle Bay is a 10 hectare precinct of land and water which has been rezoned to transform into a “connected, vibrant and diverse mixed-use community”.

As part of it’s redevelopment, the NSW Government has taken a “major step forward”, opening an expressions of interest process on Friday, seeking a development partner to renew a 3.6 hectare parcel of government-owned land which is currently home to the Sydney Fish Market and the new Bank Street Park under the Anzac Bridge.

The government is also looking to increase the residential housing on the site to “help address the states housing crisis” with plans to change the land-use controls to 70 per cent residential and 30 per cent commercial.

The current plans allow for an equal split of 50 per cent residential and commercial.

Blackwattle Bay retail artist impression.

Blackwattle Bay waterfront promenade.

It would see the NSW Government deliver approximately “300 additional homes” to the area and it is seen as the “last piece of the Blackwattle Bay puzzle”.

With the government planning on partnering with the private sector, it says it will enable them to “deliver high quality public places”, including a foreshore promenade, and more than three hectares of open space.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to partner with [the] government to transform Blackwattle Bay into a lively world-class waterfront precinct alongside Sydney’s harbour, for all to enjoy,” Lands and Property minister Steve Kamper said.

“Blackwattle Bay will provide much-needed housing supply, while unlocking the economic and social potential of the area and creating thousands of jobs.”

Blackwattle Bay aerial artist impression.

Blackwattle Bay waterfront promenade.

Blackwattle Bay promenade.

Mr Kamper said “once complete”, the precinct will be connected to various local public transport options as well as the new Sydney Fish Market, which is expected to welcome more than six million visitors a year.

A NSW Government spokesman said it showcases the Labor Government’s “commitment to building better communities for NSW” and access to and from the area will be improved by the future Pyrmont Metro Station.

It will be complemented by new parks, walkways, cycleways, and a 20 to 30 metre wide foreshore promenade which will complete a 15km continuous harbour side walk between Woolloomooloo and Rozelle Bay.

Expressions of interest are now open for qualified and experienced developers with submissions closing on August 19.