The historic Keith Howland mural, created in 1990, is an eight-by-four metre ceramic artwork comprising approximately 400 individually hand-painted and glazed tiles. It depicts the NSW commercial fishing industry, including vessels, workers, fish markets and regional contributions from communities such as Yamba and the Clarence Valley.

With the redevelopment of the old fish market site, there is currently no plan to preserve this extraordinary piece of Sydney’s maritime and cultural history. We believe that would be a missed opportunity. 

The mural should either be carefully incorporated into the new Sydney Fish Market development or professionally removed, conserved and reinstalled in a prominent public location nearby where residents and visitors can continue to enjoy it for generations to come.

Great cities don’t simply build for the future, they also respect and celebrate the past. Public art like this enriches our streets, tells our stories and strengthens our sense of place.

Once heritage like this is lost, it is gone forever. Let’s make sure Sydney’s future continues to honour its remarkable past.