SYDNEY, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Sydney's new fish market will have a 6-star green rating for water and energy efficiency, Australia's New South Wales (NSW) State government said on Thursday.
At the site to announce 750 million Australian dollars (509 million U.S. dollars) in funding for the project, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian explained to reporters the forthcoming solar-powered facility would cut electricity consumption by more than half.
Set to be rebuilt alongside the current venue in the inner city suburb of Pyrmont, the upgrade has been designed by Danish architects 3XN, in association with local firm BVN and Aspect Studios.
"One in five international tourists to Sydney visit the existing Fish Markets and it's the second-most visited attraction in Sydney behind the Opera House," Berejiklian said.
"In addition to the clear benefits for Pyrmont, the new market will be a boon for regional communities as a showcase for the very best seafood from along the NSW coast," Berejiklian said.
Already, the largest fish market in the Southern Hemisphere, when the rebuild is complete, visitor numbers are predicted to double to over five million people per year.
Subject to community consultation, planning approval and award of a contract, the construction of the new state-of-the-art Sydney Fish Market is set to begin in late 2020, with completion scheduled for 2024.
