The Sydney Fish Market has long been an icon for the city and its ever-growing dining scene, standing proudly in Pyrmont with around 2.7 million visitors and shelling out 13,400 tonnes of seafood annually. Numerous redevelopments have been proposed for the long-standing site in the past, but for various reasons have never eventuated, that is until it was confirmed today that the government’s developmental arm, UrbanGrowth NSW, has signed a deal with the privately-owned market with the desired goal of doubling the size of what is already the biggest fish market in the southern hemisphere, and relocating it to nearby Blackwattle Bay.
As reported by Business Insider, the current site will ideally be sold off as space for around 3000 new apartments, a necessity in order to pay for the massive redevelopment, although no concrete plans have been confirmed.
Most exciting is the possibility of an outdoor dining capacity of more than 3,000 as well as a potential rooftop bar constructed to help make this new Sydney Fish Market even more of a tourist destination. The wharves at the new site will be used to berth the fishing fleet and recreational vessels to power the Sydney Fish Markets daily. Further features hoped to be included are public boardwalks, an open foreshore space to link Wentworth Park with the waterfront, and a wholesale market with regular live auctions.
“The current facilities are tired and run down and upgrading and expanding the markets was a challenge that defeated the previous government”, offered NSW premier Mike Baird, who wants to start on the new development by the end of 2018.
Though it’s expected the new Sydney Fish Markets won’t be ready until 2020, the new development will become a central aim for the Bays Precinct development, which is being designed to link the foreshore from Balmain to Woolloomooloo.
The current Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont will continue to operate regularly until the new one is complete.
Source: Business Insider
Image: Sydney Fish Market
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