Jehovah’s Witnesses Australasia proposes film studio, office and replica Biblical site
A religious group with a large membership is proposing a $9.9 million revamp of its Australasian headquarters in western Sydney in a bid to grow its digital presence. See the plans here.
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The Australasian headquarters for Jehovah’s Witnesses could be getting a revamp under a proposal aimed at strengthening the organisation’s presence in the digital world.
The $9.9 million plans have been lodged with Liverpool Council and seek permission to alter the existing printery facility in Denham Court to build a film studio, which would be used to create digital religious educational materials.
Digital resources include short videos and website materials used for religious worship, instruction and training, according to planning documents.
Jehovah’s Witnesses Australasia already produces more than 400 videos a year, which are translated into 300 languages and used globally.
“The religious educational material is often made up of dramatising modern scenarios
and re-enacting life in Bible times,” planning documents state.
“In all instances, the videos give insight and practical guidance on how to apply Bible principles.”
Located in a rural setting, the headquarters at 12-14 Zouch Rd is currently home to a printery building which produces hard-copy publications for audiences in Australia, New Zealand and islands in the South Pacific.
The site owner and applicant, the International Bible Students Association, is also seeking to add a new office building and a replica of an historical Bible site in an existing farm paddock for filming purposes.
A spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses — Australasia said the demand for digital resources had “not gone unnoticed” by the organisation.
“In recent years, there has been an ever-increasing demand for information in digital media format such as audio-video material,” the spokesman said.
“This technology is another effective means to make Bible education available to as many as possible.”
He said while there was still a focus on producing printed Bible education material, the organisation was “giving increased attention in establishing facilities that can produce audio-video based information” to meet the current demand.
The proposed replica Biblical site would feature “some ancient Biblical buildings that will be consistent with the rural setting and consider the privacy of our neighbours”, the spokesman said.
The development application will be determined by the Sydney Western City Planning Panel.