Making waves at the new Sydney Fish Market

Project background

For decades, the Sydney Fish Market has been one of the city’s most recognisable public spaces. It is a place where chefs, locals and tourists converge, where the working harbour sits within arm’s reach, and where the old timber wharves have carried the weight of an industry that never really sleeps. 

By the mid 2000s, however, the market had reached a turning point. Ageing infrastructure, constrained space and rising visitor demand signalled the need for something larger, smarter and built for the future.

The redevelopment by the NSW Government set out to honour the original market while creating a contemporary, world-class precinct with better flow, stronger public spaces and a structure built to withstand harsh marine conditions. Delivering that vision required a careful blend of architecture and engineering, from a dramatic timber roof canopy and below sea level basement to extensive chilled storage and a multi level waterfront promenade. Every element had to meet the project’s complexity and civic ambition.

Fielders solution

KingFlor® RF55® in 1.0 mm BMT Z450 was selected for the mezzanine and mezzanine roof levels, delivering 20,000 square metres of composite flooring for a complex public precinct built over water. 

Fielders’ Jack Huang explained that “RF55® was selected for the Sydney Fish Market redevelopment for its proven formwork and composite performance,” noting that the Z450 coating provided the corrosion resistance required in a marine environment. Its composite efficiency reduced reinforcement, delivered a clean exposed soffit and removed the need for back propping, which helped accelerate floor cycles on a tight site.

From an installer perspective, the system performed equally well. Agostinho Rodrigues, Santana Studwelding noted, “The KingFlor®  RF55® performed very well on site. Its profile design and interlocking system made installation efficient and straightforward.”

The lightweight but durable sheets improved handling, the ribbed profile aided alignment and the antiglare finish enhanced safety across large, complex floor areas. Rodrigues also highlighted broader gains, saying that “the larger coverage per sheet and fast fastening system significantly reduced installation time.” 

The clear spanning capability reduced secondary framing, and the secure interlocking system helped lower slip risk during placement.

Together, these qualities supported smooth handling, accurate placement and steady progress on a busy waterfront site, reinforcing RF55® as a reliable, high performance flooring system for major public and marine based infrastructure projects.

Project execution

Fielders worked closely with Multiplex, BVN, Enstruct and Santana Stud Welding throughout the design and construction stages. 

The Design Solutions Group provided 3D modelling, clash coordination and detailed layout drawings to integrate RF55® with the steel structure, as well as technical and durability guidance during installation. 

Delivery sequencing was carefully managed by the Emu Plains team to suit a waterfront site with limited access and restricted laydown space.

Max Newton, Multiplex, described the build as highly intricate, noting that “the new Sydney Fish Market had many complex design elements which were unique to this project.” 

RF55® supported efficient floor cycles on the mezzanine levels, with Newton explaining that it “allowed for speed in our construction cycles… reducing requirement for formwork and back propping.” 

He also commented on the support provided by Fielders, stating, “The technical team provided detailed shop drawings and design input which allowed us to coordinate the metal decking design in with our structural steel and concrete profiles.”

Some challenges arose around hydraulic penetrations in wet areas, which Max said were resolved through “detailed coordination of decking layouts.”

Santana Stud Welding reported strong performance from the product on site. Its interlocking profile, durable design and safe handling characteristics supported steady installation across a complex working environment.

Outcomes

The use of RF55® delivered clear construction advantages.

• Faster floor cycles due to the removal of back-propping and reduced reinforcement.
• Safe and efficient installation supported by the profile’s handling and interlocking system.
• Durable performance suitable for a corrosive marine environment.
• High-quality integration with architectural and structural elements.
• Reliable delivery of a large-scale deck package in a heavily constrained location.

The project also demonstrated how early modelling and strong collaboration can reduce on-site risks and allow teams to navigate complex service coordination.

For Fielders, the successful delivery of RF55® on the new Sydney Fish Market reinforces the system’s capability across large public infrastructure and complex multi-level builds.

Learnings

A project of this scale highlighted several key lessons.

1. Early coordination and 3D modelling proved crucial for managing dense services and intricate geometry.
2. Clear communication across all teams made just-in-time deliveries feasible on a highly restricted waterfront site.
3. The marine environment underscored the need for rigorous durability planning and confidence in long term performance.
4. Using a reliable, well understood product like RF55® helped reduce installation risk and maintain program certainty.

Conclusion

The new Sydney Fish Market stands as a significant achievement for the entire project team. Multiplex, BVN, Enstruct, Fielders and Santana Stud Welding worked together to manage an intricate design, challenging site conditions and a demanding construction sequence. Fielders’ KingFlor® RF55® provided the performance, efficiency and durability required for a precinct of this scale and importance.

The completed market gives Sydney a renewed waterfront destination and a public asset built to serve the community for decades to come.