New Sydney Fish Market to get $70m light rail and ferry service boost
It’s over budget and overdue, but $70m has been funneled into public transport projects to make sure Sydneysiders can easily get to the new Sydney Fish Market when it finally opens.
In a bid to ensure the public gets behind the delayed and over-budget Sydney Fish Market, the NSW government has announced several expanded public transport services – including an overhaul of bus and ferry timetables.
Visitors due to visit the $800m facility, due to open in January, will be available to get there via 150 extra weekly trips added on the Dulwich Hill L1 light rail line.
From Friday, the change means services will run every six minutes on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between 10am and 7pm.
The nearby Wentworth Park light rail stop will also undergo a $40 million refurbishment, with plans for new lifts and upgraded platforms.
The NSW Budget has also set aside $30 million to build a new commuter ferry wharf at Blackwattle Bay to improve access to the precinct.
Evening services will also be more frequent, with trams every 10 minutes from 7pm to 9pm Sunday to Thursday, and between 7pm and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
The public transport news comes a month after the construction company Multiplex launched a $250m lawsuit against the NSW government over cost blowouts.
The lawsuit, against Infrastructure NSW, has led to the government body launching its own cross claim against the Sydney Fish Market.
Multiplex claims INSW has bungled construction of the Fish Market, and breached its contract.
INSW alleges Sydney Fish Market Pty Ltd has contributed to the matters raised in the Multiplex claim.
Paul Nicolaou, executive director at Business Sydney, said the new market would give the area a huge boost.
“The new Sydney Fish Market promises to be a great addition to our wonderful city and it is a smart move to make it as easy as possible for Sydneysiders and visitors to get there,” he said.
“The expansion of light rail services shows flexibility and forward planning to ensure a key part of our public transport network can step up when there is likely to be the greatest demand.”
The construction of the new fish market is complete with the $836 million facility set to open on January 19, in time for the Australia Day weekend.
The market will offer a front-row seat for live fish auctions along with major food and dining attractions on Sydney’s inner harbour.
The new Sydney Fish Market was meant to open in 2024, after the contract was given to Multiplex in 2020 - however the project has been delayed due to COVID and design issues.
It’s feared the total bill for the project may be over $1 billion dollars.
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Originally published as New Sydney Fish Market to get $70m light rail and ferry service boost
