Australian Tourism Minister Leon Bignell has said the Port of Adelaide has the potential to become a popular tourist attraction centred around a fish market.

Bignell said a fish market would be similar to that of the one in Sydney, which is the world’s third-largest seafood market selling about AU$120m (US$102m, €82.4m, £65.2m) worth of seafood annually. It also has a delicatessen, sushi bar, fruit and vegetable market plus florist, and is popular among tourists.

The state government had previously announced AU$2m (US$1.7m, €1.4m, £1m) plans to revamp the area, which includes a market area, playground and a festival space.

Bignell had in the past stated that he wanted to work with the Port Adelaide Enfield Council to discuss a “Central Market by the sea”, calling on the authorities to “show leadership” and bring further tourism ideas for the area to the state government.

Adelaide mayor Gary Johanson said that he raised the idea of a fish market at the Port in 2011 and talked to a number of groups, including the Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy, about the plan. Johanson added the council could only do so much, asking the government to take a lead role in the project.