Breaking ground! Bank Street Park - a milestone for the Bays precinct and gender diversity
The Minns Labor Government is delivering the missing link between the Bays West, Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market with construction now underway on the 1.1-hectare Bank Street Park.
Bank Street Park will be the first open space to be delivered as part of the wider bays precinct’s transformation. Connected to Bays West by the Glebe Island Bridge, Bank Street Park marks a major milestone in turning more than 10 hectares of former industrial land in Blackwattle Bay into a sustainable, world-class harbourfront destination.
In a historic first, the Minns Labor Government is driving change, through Infrastructure NSW with head contractor BESIX Watpac to proactively reach 50% participation of women throughout the project lifecycle, far surpassing the industry average of 12%.
This announcement follows the Minns Labor Governments commitment to deliver a game-changing new precinct at Bays West – delivering up to 8,500 well-located homes, and a precinct with 25 per cent open space.
The old Sydney Fish Markets renewal will also deliver around 1,400 new homes alongside more than three hectares of public open space, with the neighbouring Wentworth Park being returned to community sporting fields and recreational area allowing for the delivery of 7,300 homes.
The new Bank Street Park will build on that success by delivering a range of welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy, including:
- a playground, multipurpose court and fitness station
- open lawns and First Nations-inspired shelter structures
- public amenities and provisions for outdoor food trucks and coffee carts
- a new pontoon for kayak water access and storage for dragon boats
- new footpaths and cycleways that will link into the future 15km ‘Harbour Walk’ from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo.
The workforce is expected to reach 100 people at peak construction.
To learn more about the NSW Government’s Women in Construction program visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/employment/women-construction
The park is expected to open in 2027. To find out more visit the project website.
Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper said:
“The new Bays Precinct is underway. This new waterfront park is the first piece of green space to be delivered as part of in the revitalisation of Blackwattle Bay, which has been inaccessible to the broader community for decades.
“This park is the start of a city-shaping renewal. The Bays precinct will deliver thousands of new homes, hectares of open space, while being an exciting entertainment and cultural hub right on Sydney Harbour.
“Following the success of the new Sydney Fish Market opening, the Minns Labor Government is pushing ahead with the next phase of Blackwattle Bay, turning this industrial site into a new waterside precinct and prioritising public space so the community benefits first.
“We have been listening to what the community want for the future, and I can’t wait to see locals, recreational boaters and local and international visitors use this new stunning harbourside park.
Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison said:
“This project is setting a new benchmark for the industry in its ambition to redefine who builds our infrastructure.
“By targeting a 50 per cent women workforce, the team delivering Bank Street Park is helping to push the construction sector toward a more equitable future, proving what’s possible when inclusion is placed at the centre of project delivery.
“From day one, the site is being established as an inclusive workspace with practical features such as site amenities that prioritise accessibility, safety and a range of worker needs.
“We want projects like this to inspire the industry to think outside the box - opening up new pathways for women to thrive in construction and see it as a long-term, rewarding career option.”
BESIX Watpac Chief Executive Officer, Mark Baker said:
“We understand what it takes to deliver community shaping infrastructure and precincts, and Bank Street Park allows us to bring our proven experience on major projects delivered in partnership with the NSW Government.
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day this month, it’s especially meaningful to be breaking ground on a project that will be led by an exceptional team of women.
“We’re proud to partner with Infrastructure NSW on a project that advances greater equity across the industry and aligns with BESIX Watpac’s commitment to supporting women to build fulfilling careers in construction – currently 87% of the BESIX Watpac team delivering this project are women.
“By focusing on improving productivity, we’ll provide certainty of construction outcomes while also delivering a lasting social legacy for the community and the industry.”