Russell Crowe reveals his vision for a $438m studio in Coffs Harbour

“It takes a village of professionals to make a movie”: The Oscar-winning actor has revealed the details of his film studio plan for Coffs Harbour – and it’ll be the first of its kind in Australia.

Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe has announced his plans for a $438,560,000 world-class film studio at Coffs Harbour's Pacific Bay Resort.

He’s one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but Russell Crowe’s grand new ambition lies closer to home.

The Oscar-winning actor was at Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour on Wednesday to announce his plan to build a major international-standard film studio in the city – worth an estimated $438,560,000.

It is set to be the first fully integrated feature-film production and post production complex in Australia, and will allow actors to stay with their family in Coffs Harbour while filming.

He was joined by dignitaries including Deputy Premier John Barilaro, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Coffs MP Gurmesh Singh and Coffs Harbour Mayor Denise Knight to reveal the otherwise poorly-kept secret.

Actor Jack Thompson, who also lives locally, also showed his support in the crowd.

Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe was at Pacific Bay Resort on Wednesday to officially announce his plans for a $438,560,000 world-class film studio.

Crowe apologised for his overgrown hair, revealing he had wrapped up filming his latest role as Zeus on the Northern Rivers.

He jokingly dubbed himself as “another long-haired hippie from the North Coast” before welcoming the crowd to Coffs Harbour.

“It takes a village of professionals to make a movie,” Crowe said.

“The opportunity to build a facility like this spreads opportunity through the community by creating jobs, but not just jobs – actual professions and careers.

“(It’ll be) a world-class facility open to anyone from anywhere to come and work here from Hollywood to Bollywood, or some kid who lives out in the (Orara) Valley.”

Crowe, a long-time Nana Glen local, revealed the plans had been in the works for several years.

He began having conversations with Mayor Denise Knight, before building on the vision with the help of resort owner Peter Montgomery and Australian film producer Keith Rodger.

An artist impression on display at Russell Crowe's official announcement of his film studio for Coffs Harbour.

“My family has been here for 25 years in the Orara Valley … my father’s recent passing, funeral and memorial taking place in the valley have bound us even tighter to the community,” he said.

“As I’ve gotten a bit older I’ve become adverse to travel because I don’t travel for holidays, I travel for work. I’ve been thinking how I might be able to combine where I live and my work, and that idea stayed in the back of my mind for a long time.”

The major studio will be built at the site of a former banana plantation, and will include a boutique hotel, a state-of-the-art film school, an indigenous art gallery and Olympic and film memorabilia museum.

It has already attracted prospective film industry partners including Screen Australia, Screen NSW, Spectrum Films and tertiary schools such as the Australian Television and Radio School and AACTA.

Planning applications for the Pacific Bay Resort Studios and Village have been finalised for immediate lodgement with the NSW government as a State Significant Development.

A further refinement of the plans will commence after the government's official response, which will also benefit from input from the Coffs Harbour City Council and other authorities.

Potential industry partners will be given the opportunity to specify their needs.