Why Local Group ‘Friends of Ultimo’ Are Concerned Over The Blackwattle Bay Development

Residents in Sydney’s Inner West are speaking out against the proposed Blackwattle Bay development, warning that the current plans ignore the community’s real needs. Leading the charge is Friends of Ultimo, a local community-led group, that’s been active in the area for more than a decade.

Their main concerns? Overdevelopment, lack of affordable housing, and the absence of public infrastructure.

“The first thing we’re opposed to is the density,” said Jean-Pierre Alexander, one of the group’s core campaigners.

“The location is not really good for the people who are going to live or work there, but also it blocks the view and the sun for the people in Jacksons Landing.”

The redevelopment plan includes multiple high-rise towers along the Western Distributor, close to the Anzac Bridge. According to Friends of Ultimo, the scale is out of step with the surrounding neighbourhood, and doesn’t consider long-term liveability.

“This is the last piece of public land in Ultimo and beyond that is available for redevelopment,” Alexander said.

“We’re missing the opportunity to build what is needed for the community.”

Blackwattle Bay: lack of public housing, schools, medical services, recreational & cultural spaces

The project, as it currently stands, consists entirely of private apartments and commercial office space.

Notably, there are no provisions for public or social housing—something the group says is sorely needed, particularly for essential workers who are being priced out of the area.

“There’s nothing for nurses, for doctors, for police, for people who work in the city,” said Alexander. “They have to live 40 kilometres away.”

The group is also raising red flags about the lack of schools, medical services, and recreational or cultural spaces in the plan. “There is no provision at all for amenities—schools in particular, but also health, sport, leisure, culture,” he added.

This isn’t the first time Ultimo residents have seen public land redirected away from community use. Alexander recalled a previous situation where land earmarked for a school on Wattle Street was instead sold to a developer and turned into luxury apartments.

Friends of Ultimo protest outside Sydney Fish Market development

In March, Friends of Ultimo held a protest outside the Fish Market to draw attention to their campaign.

“That went very well,” Alexander said. “We had quite a number of people, and we had also the local member for Balmain [Kobi Shetty], who addressed the meeting.”

The group has been actively lobbying through submissions, community forums, and meetings with local officials. They’re urging others in the area to make their voices heard before it’s too late.

“They can write to the Planning Minister, the Infrastructure Minister, the City of Sydney,” Alexander said. “Just send a letter and express their disagreement.”

At its core, the campaign isn’t about stopping development altogether—it’s about pushing for a smarter, more inclusive approach. The group wants to see a mixed-use plan that includes genuinely affordable housing and the public amenities needed to support a growing population.

“This is about building something that will benefit everyone,” Alexander said. “Not just another cluster of luxury towers.”