It's the ACT's second largest economy, but Fyshwick businesses have had no central support or advocacy network.
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Until now that is.
Monday heralds the beginning of Fyshwick's own business association, known simply as Fyshwick Business.
Creating the association has been driven by Fyshwick auction house Allbids chief executive Rob Evans who started the Willuna Street business almost 20 years ago.
He said Fyshwick was full of a mix of light industrial and retail businesses, but was surprised there was not more connection in the business community.
"We realised we were a very disjointed group," Mr Evans said.
The group is in part inspired by the Phillip Business Community and Mitchell Traders Association.
Mr Evans said he immediately had 71 businesses sign up with another 30 to 40 expected to come on board shortly and plenty of broader interest.
He said he hoped the association would provide a united voice for Fyshwick businesses on issues that affected them, advocating to government on behalf of the suburb.
The association could also double as a business directory to hopefully encourage Fyshwick businesses to work with their neighbours and ultimately bring more consumers into the suburb, Mr Evans said.
The major issue facing Fyshwick, according to Mr Evans and other business owners, is the prospect of a waste transfer station and accompanying railway line in the heart of the suburb.
While Fyshwick's mixed industrial zoning allows for the waste facility, special exceptions were granted for the rail line.
"Why the hell would you allow heavy industry into Fyshwick in the form of a railway?" Mr Evans said.
He said the added congestion, the smell and the loss of hundreds of businesses he anticipated if the waste facility proceeded amounted to "an environmental disaster".
The waste facility proponent has previously said it would operate in a way to not adversely affect businesses and the government's position is that the proponent must prove that through environmental impact assessments before anything goes ahead.
In either event, Mr Evans said the new association gave him greater confidence the community would be heard on such decisions.
Fyshwick has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, previously known as an industrial area and associated with the sex work industry, business owners agreed Fyshwick had greatly diversified.
Owner of 2B Advertising and Design Tim Bohm moved his business from the city to Fyshwick about two years ago due to cheaper rent and rates.
"I consider [Fyshwick] to be one of the most creative spaces in Canberra now," Mr Bohm said.
"And I don't want to see that ruined [by the waste station]."
He said businesses lacked a capacity to "meet, consult and represent". He hoped the new association would be consulted on significant changes and planning matters in future.
The other major growth area has been the Fyshwick hospitality industry, with the additions of Capital Brewing, Zierholz and dozens of cafes.
Owner of Lyell Street fixture Two Hands Cafe, Jonny Hand, said in his 12 years in Fyshwick he'd seen massive changes.
"Most of it was greasy spoon joints, fry ups, a lot of those have closed now," Mr Hand said.
"And there's a really mixed demographic in clientele now. It used to be male-dominated, tradies, mechanics, now I see them but also young professionals - insurance brokers, marketing people, just a big mix"
