The New $836 Million Sydney Fish Market Opens

A 6.5‑Year Journey from Safety in Design to World‑Class Operations

The long‑awaited new Sydney Fish Market officially opened its doors this week, drawing an extraordinary 40,000 visitors on day one. The scale and ambition of this project are unlike anything Australia has seen in recent years. Spanning an area equivalent to three Queen Victoria Buildings placed side‑by‑side, the facility now stands as the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere—and is already being hailed as the best fish market in the world.

For Fefo Consulting, the opening marks the culmination of a 6.5‑year partnership grounded by safety in design principles and incredible benefits.

Why Early Involvement Matters

Major infrastructure projects succeed when safety is embedded from the very beginning of the asset lifecycle. Mark Wright, Managing Director of FEFO Consulting was engaged well before a builder was appointed, with the first Safety in Design (SiD) workshop completed long before Multiplex came on board.

This early engagement delivered several critical advantages:

• Clear risk visibility before design decisions were locked in
• Stronger alignment between architects, engineers, operators, and future maintainers
• Reduced redesign and rework, saving time and cost
• A safer, more resilient asset that supports long‑term operational excellence.

By shaping the project from its earliest conceptual stages, Safety in Design helped ensure that safety, usability, and lifecycle performance were not afterthoughts—they were foundational.

A Global Benchmark for Safe, Sustainable Design

The new Sydney Fish Market is more than a landmark building. It’s a case study in how early, structured Safety in Design processes can elevate a project from functional to exceptional.

From complex logistics flows to public access, from cold‑chain integrity to marine‑side operations, the facility demonstrates what’s possible when safety, efficiency, and user experience are integrated into every design decision.

Our Role

Mark Wright from Fefo Consulting supported the project through:

• Comprehensive Safety in Design facilitation
• Multi‑stakeholder risk reviews across design stages
• Integration of operational insights into design decisions
• Alignment of safety, compliance, and lifecycle performance requirements
• Guidance that supported the transition from design to construction and ultimately to commissioning

This long‑term involvement reflects FEFO’s commitment to helping organisations build safer, smarter, and more resilient assets.

A Milestone for Sydney — and a Proud Moment for Fefo

The opening of the new Sydney Fish Market is a milestone for the city and a testament to what can be achieved when safety, collaboration, and design excellence come together.

Fefo Consulting is proud to have contributed to many iconic building and infrastructure projects that will serve the community, industry, and visitors for decades to come.

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