Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting has welcomed the possibility of a major film studio opening in Western Sydney, saying it is “well placed” to support the continued growth of Australia’s screen industry.
His comments come after the NSW Government opened the search for a new film studio in Greater Sydney to complement Moore Park’s Disney Studios Australia, committing up to $100 million toward its development. Private sector partners are expected to contribute the remaining investment.
As the only major film studio in Greater Sydney, Disney Studios Australia has attracted some of the largest and most iconic international feature films ever produced, including “Mission Impossible 2,” “Moulin Rouge!,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Peter Rabbit,” “The Fall Guy,” “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” “Apex,” and many more.
Three government-owned sites in Western Sydney (Bungarribee, Eastern Creek and Prospect) have been earmarked as potential locations. Bunting said Blacktown’s population growth, cultural diversity and emerging creative workforce reflect 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,” he 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.”
He added that creative projects – like a new film studio – in Western Sydney could help strengthen the local economy: “Projects like this can create real career opportunities for young people across Western Sydney and help grow the creative industries in our region.”
The NSW Government’s Expression of Interest process will be open to proposals for those who think they can deliver the critically needed screen infrastructure – including six sound stages minimum. It will close in May.