The New South Wales government has taken a significant step toward delivering a new era for Sydney’s western harbour foreshore with the signing of a major contract to redevelop the former Sydney Fish Market site into a lively, mixed-use waterfront precinct at Blackwattle Bay.
The milestone follows the announcement in December of the government’s partnership with Mirvac, marking the next stage of renewal along Sydney Harbour.
The project aims to create a world-class destination that reconnects the community with the water and supports a growing inner-city population.
At the heart of the redevelopment is the completion of a missing link in the 15-kilometre Harbour Walk stretching from Woolloomooloo to Rozelle Bay.
A striking new 30-metre-wide boardwalk and waterfront promenade will provide public access to the harbour’s edge, transforming a once-industrial site into an open and inviting space for recreation and leisure.
The new Blackwattle Bay precinct will include around 1,400 new homes and more than three hectares of public open space, with landscaped parks, shared paths and dedicated cycleways.
The project will also deliver a blend of commercial and retail offerings designed to activate the foreshore throughout the day and evening, establishing the area as a dynamic hub adjacent to the new Sydney Fish Market and key public transport connections.
The initiative forms part of the NSW government’s broader plan to deliver housing, infrastructure and essential community services in an integrated way across the state.
By combining residential development with social amenities and green public spaces, the government aims to create a more liveable, sustainable and inclusive city.
Partnering with Australian developer Mirvac promises to bring a balance of experience and design excellence to the redevelopment.
The company will collaborate with leading architects and urban planners to ensure that the precinct reflects the highest quality standards in sustainability, liveability and accessibility.
Environmental performance will be a defining feature of the project.
A partnership with the Sydney Institute of Marine Science will see the installation of innovative living seawalls designed to enhance marine biodiversity and improve water quality around the foreshore.
The precinct also targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 through energy-efficient design principles and renewable technologies.
Renewal activity is already progressing, with the delivery of the 1.1-hectare Bank Street Park beneath the Anzac Bridge in collaboration with BESIX Watpac.
The park is part of 3.4 hectares of new green and public space that will reconnect residents and visitors with the harbour while supporting local biodiversity and urban cooling.
Once complete, the transformation of Blackwattle Bay is expected to become a model for sustainable urban renewal, celebrating Sydney’s relationship with its harbour while creating much-needed new homes and public amenities.
The project’s integrated approach to housing, open space and community infrastructure positions it as a key contributor to the city’s long-term growth and liveability.
