The operator behind the aquaculture venture, Tailor Made Fish Farms, is racing to have the centre open.

Included in the development is a restaurant and conference centre and upgrades to fish processing areas.

Tailor Made managing director Nick Arena wants the doors of the 184-seat indoor and outdoor restaurant open in time to welcome crowds from the Australian Defence Force airshow at Williamtown on September 18 and 19.

"All that is really left to do is finish fitting out the restaurant and we are ready to go," he said.

Mr Arena said the business was initially to open to the public by late last year, but delays over a council occupation certificate, which they received in April, have hampered progress. He expected upwards of 40 additional jobs to be created at the business when fully operating.

"We have a head chef...but we are going to need wait staff and bar staff and who knows how many in [the processing centre]."

One section of the restaurant complex will be segregated for use by groups and schools for the purpose for aquaculture education.