Sydney Fish Market Rezoning Clears Way for 320 Homes

The fast-tracked rezoning of the old Sydney Fish Market will clear the way for another 320 homes as part of the “once-in-a-generation” Blackwattle Bay renewal. 

The finalised rezoning proposal amends planning controls in the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2021 to allow more residential floor space. 

The harbour foreshore revitalisation now has the capacity for the delivery of 1500 homes. 

This includes 7.5 per cent affordable housing, which is required to remain affordable in perpetuity. 

The NSW Government announced plans to add to the Blackwattle Bay redevelopment housing component last year.

It revealed a shortlist of preferred developers for the site in December comprising sector heavy-hitters Lendlease, Mirvac and Stockland.

Proposals by the three shortlisted developers are due for evaluation in July.

Infrastructure NSW said its chosen development partner would be released soon after that, and it would start work on the project “as soon as possible”, prioritising delivery of public spaces.

▲ The Blackwattle Bay precinct will include more than 50 per cent allocated to public spaces.

It was expected that the first homes would be completed by 2028, and the entire build would take another six to eight years, it said.

The total site of 10.4ha spanning from the Anzac Bridge to the new Sydney Fish Market was rezoned in December of 2022.

The latest rezoning was exhibited from December, 2024 to January.

The Blackwattle Bay precinct will include a 1.1ha waterside park that includes a waterfront promenade to complete the “missing link” of the foreshore walk connecting Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo.

▲ Rendering of the Blackwattle Bay promenade.

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the state was “removing unnecessary barriers in the planning process” for the “once-in-a-generation” waterfront renewal project. 

The development would open up a “hidden part of the harbour” for the first time in more than a century, he said.

Meanwhile, work on the new Sydney Fish Market continues after its “iconic” roof was finished this year. 

That was despite concerns over the financial viability of the $836-million project due to the cost of the complex build.