Burnside Council flags Supreme Court lawsuit against SA Film Corporation, Arts Minister Andrea Michaels, over ‘unpaid rates’

A court battle between an eastern suburbs council, a state government minister and the jewel of SA’s film industry is looming – but no one wants to talk about it.

The heart of SA’s film industry has not paid rates on its 155-year-old, hi-tech site for seven years, court documents allege – and an eastern suburbs council wants to know who it can sue.

The Advertiser can reveal Burnside Council has lodged Supreme Court documents against Arts Minister Andrea Michaels and the SA Film Corporation.

It asks the court to order Ms Michaels and the corporation hand over “evidentiary material and information” so it can decide “whether, or against whom” a lawsuit should be filed.

That lawsuit, it says, would arise from the alleged “non-payment of rates under the Local Government Act” on the former Glenside Hospital building at 1 Mulberry Rd, Glenside.

The South Australian Film Corporation at Glenside. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dean Martin

But while the legal paperwork indicates tension between the parties, those named in it have adopted tight-lipped stances publicly.

A spokesman for the Department of Premier and Cabinet said it “has been in ongoing discussions” with the council.

A spokeswoman for the corporation said it was unable to comment as “this is a matter for the Department”, which serves “as the property owners and managers”.

Council chief executive Julia Grant said the council “would not comment at this time” in order to “respect the court proceedings”.

Formed in 1972 to “stimulate and encourage” the state’s film and TV industry, the corporation relocated to Glenside between 2008 and 2011 at a cost of $43 million.

The corporation does not produce films in-house, but does offer a variety of funding initiatives for creators as well as offer facilities for lease.

Arts Minister Andrea Michaels is named in Burnside Councils court documents. Picture: Keryn Stevens.

Its campus boasts more than 1400 sq ft of filming space, spread over two sound stages, as well as make-up and cast waiting rooms, production offices and secure parking.

In 2023, The Advertiser reported the SA film industry was experiencing a boom reminiscent of its 1970s heyday, spearheaded by a new wave of young writers and directors.

In its court papers, the council asks the court to order Ms Michaels and the corporation provide it with documentation within 14 days.

It says it wants to know “if any leases or licences have been granted or given over the subject land” at any time between July 1, 2019 and this year.

It also wants to know if any action has been taken, in respect of the land, “without formal lease or licence” between July 1, 2018 and this year.

Finally, it seeks to know if the government contends the land or any part of it is property of “the Crown or an instrumentality of the Crown”, and what legislation it relies upon “to support that contention”.

The case continues.

In 2024, Burnside Council proposed a 14 per cent increase in its rates – the highest increase of any metropolitan council.

According to its website, Burnside’s minimum rates for 2025/26 are $1125.