NSW Budget: Minns government commits $30m for Sydney Fish Market ferry

As the finishing touches are being put on the new Sydney Fish Market, the state government has announced a major boost to help put the attraction on the map.

Exclusive: Sydney’s new multimillion-dollar Fish Market will receive its own ferry wharf to welcome more than six million visitors a year via the greatest harbour in the world.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Minns Government will commit $30m in Tuesday’s state budget to fund the construction of a commuter ferry wharf at the $836m attraction.

It comes as part of a $70m investment by the government to improve transport connections to the market, which will become one of the city’s premier tourism drawcards when it opens later this year.

Under the plans, the Fish Market will be served by a ferry service linking the Black Wattle Bay site to Barangaroo, connecting key destinations along the harbour.

The $30m investment will go towards planning and construction of the wharf, but a timeline for completion has not been confirmed at this stage.

The government has committed $30m to build a commuter ferry at the new market. Picture: Rohan Kelly

NSW Transport Minister John Graham said the wharf would help the market grow into as an “integral part of the western harbour … and a huge magnet for tourists”.

“This investment opens the new market up to perhaps the most scenic way to arrive at any fish market anywhere in the world – a trip on Sydney Harbour,” he said.

Lands Minister Steve Kamper described the commitment as the next step towards bringing the market to life as the site began to take shape.

“The new Sydney Fish Market is set to be the next iconic addition to Sydney’s beautiful harbour, and today’s announcement will make it even easier for locals and visitors to access this landmark,” he said.

The $836m attraction will open later this year.

“More than six million visitors a year are expected to access the new Sydney Fish Markets, more than double the number going to the current facility (and) it will also serve as the perfect bookend to more than 15km of unbroken waterfront promenade from Rozelle Bay all the way to Woolloomooloo.”

As part of the investment, the nearby Wentworth Park light rail stop will also receive a $40m accessibility upgrade to match the forecast increase in visitors from 4.5 million to six million in the new market’s first year.

The local community will be consulted on the plans, with features likely to include new lifts, ramps, CCTV and platform upgrades.

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Originally published as NSW Budget: Minns government commits $30m for Sydney Fish Market ferry