Blacktown City Mayor, Brad Bunting, has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to open the search for a second major film studio across Greater Sydney, saying Western Sydney is well placed to support the continued growth of Australia’s screen industry.
The NSW Government has committed up to $100 million toward the development of a second major film studio, with private sector partners expected to contribute the remaining investment.
Mayor Bunting said Blacktown’s population growth, cultural diversity and emerging creative workforce reflected the broader strengths of Western Sydney as a centre for future screen industry investment.
“Western Sydney is alive with creativity. Our young and diverse population represents a powerful pipeline of talent and new opportunities for Australia’s screen industry,” Mayor Bunting said.
“We have the space, with large-scale productions requiring space for sound stages, workshops and backlots, Western Sydney has the scale and infrastructure needed for projects of that size. It makes sense”
“Blacktown City sits at the centre of one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia and Council stands ready to work with the NSW Government and industry partners to help deliver investment that strengthens the state’s screen industry.”
The Government has opened a call for an Expression of Interest (EOI) to find the location and industry partner to deliver the facility.
The EOI will be open to proposals on both private and government owned land. To support the process, there are three government owned sites that applicants may consider for their suitability to accommodate a world-class studio. These sites are in Bungarribee, Eastern Creek, and Prospect.
“We are on the hunt for a permanent home for a second major film studio in Sydney, a location that will support long-term growth and create new job opportunities for the sector, support local stories, and attract international blockbusters to the state,” said Minister for the Arts, John Graham.
“Sydney is already a popular destination for international film production, with Greyhound 2 starring Tom Hanks currently in production, along with Street Fighter 2 and Apex, starring Charlize Theron, Taron Edgerton and Eric Bana, all recently produced here in Sydney
“Beyond Hollywood, there is large demand for Bollywood films in Australia, with Indian filmmakers continuing to use the visually striking look of Australia in their films.
“We know the demand is there, and there’s a critical need for a more studio space. This call for Expressions of Interest to work with government to deliver a long awaited second film studio.”
Other locations will also be considered as part of the EOI process where applicants can demonstrate evidence of landowner consent.
The process calls for submissions to deliver and operate critical screen infrastructure. Requirements for conforming proposals are:
- Minimum of six sound stages
- NSW Government investment does not exceed allocated $100m Capital Contribution
- Greater Sydney Area location
- Evidence of capability and experience operating Screen Infrastructure
- Abide with NSW Government Supplier Code of Conduct
Proposals that vary outside this scope, including location, will be accepted and evaluated through the EOI process.
Submissions will be evaluated against the NSW Government’s objectives to:
- Strengthen industry capacity by attracting international blockbusters and supporting local production;
- Create local jobs, and ensure NSW remains the nation’s screen powerhouse;
- Proximity to the existing workforce and access to the Sydney CBD are a key requirement for proposals, as identified during market soundings.
International projects recently filmed and produced in NSW include Legendary Pictures’ Street Fighter; Netflix’s Apex, starring Charlize Theron, Taron Edgerton and Eric Bana; Apple Original Film’s Greyhound 2, starring Tom Hanks and Stephen Graham; and Marvel Studio’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
For full details and to apply, visit the Screen NSW website.
