The Block: Nine’s dramatic move ahead of filming on next series

The network has gone to extreme lengths to make sure the landmark 20th season of the show features major surprises for viewers.

Channel Nine isn’t messing around when it comes to protecting details of the next season of The Block.

An eagle-eyed viewer of the juggernaut renovation series has posted a picture on a fan Facebook page, showing a massive privacy wall being installed around the perimeter of the new location.

“Fencing going up on The Block 2024 Phillip Island. Looks like it might be very much under wraps this year,” they captioned it, according to Yahoo Lifestyle.

It comes after The Block’s executive producer Julian Cress confirmed in November that season 20 would be filmed on the picturesque island in Victoria, located about 90 minutes south of Melbourne.

Nine reportedly paid $9.5 million to purchase Island Cove Villas, a holiday resort comprising of nine homes, a shared pool, a tennis court and a children’s playground.

A construction crew has been busy erecting a large privacy fence. Picture: Facebook

“The mayor of Phillip Island recently posted we were bringing the show down there. I’m as thrilled as he is,” Cress told TV Tonightlast month.

“We obviously had our location previously lined up for Daylesford but that blew up. We were very, very lucky to be able to find a magnificent site in Phillip Island.

“So far from what I’ve seen the feedback from the audience and the fans who’ve heard that we’re going there, they’re all thrilled to bits.”

The Block’s Scott Cam and Shelly Craft. Picture: Supplied

Cress went on to share his hopes that the new location will “resonate” with viewers at home, many of whom will have fond memories there just like his own.

“I’m kind of glad it’s out there, in a way. It’s such an iconic location. So many Australian families have so many happy memories of going there for holidays. I just feel like it’s going to resonate extremely well with the fans of The Block.”

He continued: “I’m really thrilled to bring the show down there. I mean, how can you go wrong making your 20th season on an island by the sea with penguins? And a Hemsworth, we should definitely get them involved.”

Season 19, which wrapped in early November, saw five brick homes on Charming Street in Melbourne’s Hampton East get the Block treatment.

After another nailbiting auction day, NSW childhood sweethearts Steph and Gian emerged as the clear winners after their home was bought for a whopping $5 million by Adrian Portelli.

After their $3.35 million reserve, that gave them a record-breaking profit of $1.65 million, overtaking the $1.586 million benchmark set by 2022 winners, Omar and Oz.