New South Wales to build new studio, overhaul state regulation to boost production

A screen sector regulatory upgrade and investment in a new studio in Sydney, Australia have been confirmed by the New South Wales (NSW) government as part of a A$380m (US$247m) screen and digital sector package to bolster production in the state.

John Graham

The NSW state government announced a A$100m capital fund investment at the close of the Sydney Film Festival on Sunday, as part of the search for a location for a second film studio for Sydney.

The NSW screen and digital games sector is estimated to generate A$1.2bn into the state economy annually and supports more than 13,500 jobs. Currently, Disney Studios (formerly Fox Studios) in Sydney’s inner city of Moore Park is the only studio available for high-end productions.

Speaking at the Sydney Film Festival, NSW minister for the arts John Graham said: “When filming happens, when screen production happens in Australia, half the time it happens in NSW. This is the powerhouse. We’re determined to keep that lead.”

Graham said that in terms of the threats proposed by US tariffs “we are monitoring those developments carefully, but I want to be really clear, we will stand up for our sector here.”

He added: “This highly vital industry hasn’t been disturbed yet, but if the US is going down this path it would not only damage activity here in NSW, it would damage it in Hollywood. This would be self-defeating if the US presses ahead but that’s a matter for them.”

The funding investments and studio commitment will be part of a significant and long lobbied for overhaul of the regulatory framework that promises to “reduce red tape” to stimulate and fast track international and local film and television production activity.

The government will introduce a new Screen and Digital Games Industries Act that will bolster the powers of state funding agency of Screen NSW in addition to a new Screen and Digital Games Industries Advisory Committee that will include a dedicated digital games member and a member from regional NSW.

Other new measures will include tripling the time filming can occur on private land without a development approval, reducing administrative onus on councils in terms of approval and the introduction of a ‘Film Friendly Accreditation’ program which supports local councils that are progressive in stimulating screen production in their areas.

Additionally, a new NSW Local Government Filming Protocol and Premier’s Memorandum will be introduced that will ensure screen and digital games production is supported across state and local government.

The announcement is a pre-cursor to the NSW state budget and comes at a time when every Australian state is agitating to attract further global productions and stimulate domestic activity. West Australia is underway with its plans for its first high-end studio precinct with a $290m,16-hectare studio complex in Perth.

In NSW potential suitors for the government’s studio investment have been preparing for funding confirmation for over two years, with mooted developments in inner city Redfern and the multi-million development in the Western suburbs of Oran Park which includes proposals for three soundstages, production offices, working spaces for all departments and associated facilities.

“NSW is the home of the screen industry in Australia. The industry has been calling for a second studio space in Sydney to make sure local producers aren’t being squeezed out by the big overseas productions. This A$100m capital fund will pave the way for the delivery of this studio,” Graham said.