Sydney Fish Market site must be redeveloped for ‘public good’, councillor says
The future of Sydney Fish Market’s current site is up in the air following confirmation the tourist attraction would move across Blackwattle Bay.
Central Sydney
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Sydney Fish Markets’ current Pyrmont site must be redeveloped for the “public good”, as plans for a $750 million move take shape.
That’s the call from City of Sydney councillor Linda Scott, who has urged the State Government to reconsider its “misguided, profit driven” strategy to move the historic markets to the head of Blackwattle Bay.
Despite being heralded as a decision that would activate the waterfront, Cr Scott feared it left the market’s traditional home open to a redevelopment that could shut-out the community.
Meanwhile, Greens MP Jamie Parker believes a $500 million “explosion” in the cost of the project will lead to overdevelopment of the site as the government attempts to recoup its expenditure.
Cr Scott said the government lacked “a long term vision for the bays area, which is needed before any redevelopment of the public land on which the fish markets sit”.
“I support the strong advocacy from our local Glebe, Pyrmont and Ultimo residents and businesses to call on the State Government to ensure the fish markets are developed for the public good, under the current city planning controls,” she said.
“It is imperative that the use of this land is in the public interest and that a major part of this land be maintained for public use.”
Cr Scott said community members she had spoken to wanted to see the market remain at its current site.
Balmain state MP Mr Parker also raised concerns over the inflated cost of the redevelopment, which was first touted to be in the range of $250 million.
Mr Parker said that would put the government under pressure to build a “forest of residential towers” at the existing site to cover a massive outlay.
“As the cost of this project increases so does the number of apartments they will try and squeeze onto the waterfront in Blackwattle Bay,” he said.
“This will restrict public access to the foreshore and put greater pressure on local roads, transport and schools.”
It came after Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Thursday announced the market’s proposed move would begin in late 2020, four years after the plan was first floated.
The project will include public promenades, a ferry wharf and more than 30,000sq m of new open space.
“In addition to the clear benefits for Pyrmont, the new market will be a boon for regional communities as a showcase for the very best seafood from along the NSW coast,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The government has said masterplanning for the market’s current site would be subject to community consultation to commence after the Greater Sydney Commission’s controversial review into the Pyrmont area is complete.
The review was sparked by debate over the $500 million Ritz-Carlton Hotel plan proposed by The Star.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes said relocating the fish market would improve pedestrian and cycling links and “connect more of Glebe and Pyrmont to the water as part of the long-awaited revitalisation of the area”.
A two-stage procurement process for demolition and construction will start soon, according to the government.
It is envisaged early works will begin in late 2020, with the new markets to open in 2024.
