Toowoomba’s Wellcamp quarantine facility, airport to be used as sets in new Australian blockbuster by Village Roadshow starring David Wenham

One of Queensland’s most controversial projects will be showcased on big screens across the world, as a key filming location for the sequel to a legendary Australian movie.

The Queensland Regional Accommodation Centre at Wellcamp is ready to host international arrivals needing to enter Covid quarantine.

Toowoomba’s controversial $237m quarantine facility and its “state-of-the-art” airport will be key locations in the newest Australian film starring legendary actors David Wenham and Gary Sweet.

Shooting will start from Tuesday at Wagner Corporation’s Queensland Regional Accommodation Centre and Wellcamp Airport on Spit, the sequel to 2003 Australian film Gettin’ Square.

More than 250 cast and crew members and hundreds of extras will be onsite this week for the crime-comedy, which is being directed by Australian filmmaker Jonathan Teplitzky, produced by Tracking Films and partially financed by government bodies Screen Australia and Screen Queensland.

The film is expected to get a national screening, with Moviehouse Entertainment to distribute it internationally.

Chris Nyst, producer Trish Lake and David Wenham (L) at the Australian International Movie Convention on the Gold Coast this week. They are reuniting to make a sequel to the hit 2003 crime caper Gettin’ Square. Photography By Paul A. Broben

It marks one of the first major uses for the quarantine facility since the state government decommissioned it in mid-2023 following the roll-back of quarantining rules around Covid-19.

The 1000-bed facility will also double as accommodation for cast and crew.

Wellcamp Airport general manager Kellie Banditt said the two sites, located within a few hundred metres from each other, were identified by producers last year as an ideal location.

“Global producers came up to look at the airport and quarantine facility and were blown away by the state-of-the-art facility we had,” she said.

Kellie Banditt, general manager of Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport.

“It will start here at Wellcamp Airport on Tuesday, everything from catering to movie sets to costuming — they’re injecting a huge amount of money.

“They’ll all be located at the accommodation facility, they can see it as an asset (because) everyone knows rooming accommodation is limited.

“It’s once again Wellcamp that has all the facilities to provide international movie studios — that’s the only reason they’ve brought this entire production.”

Actor David Wenham in 2003 film "Gettin' Square". Wenham/Actor F/L

Wenham, also a producer on the film, reprises his role from Gettin’ Square as ex-junkie Johnny Spitieri who gets locked in an immigration detention centre upon returning from Australia.

“The authorities want to know who he is, and where he’s been, (but) so does gangster Chicka Martin, and his crooked cop associate Arne Deviers, who are hot on Spit’s trail, and the Independent Public Integrity Commission is convinced the bumbling amnesiac is really an unlikely criminal mastermind,” the Screen Australia website said.

“As Johnny talks up a storm without saying anything at all, he makes new friends among the detainees, and teaches them his version of mateship, and what it means to be truly Australian.”

Actor David Wenham in scene from film "Gettin' Square". /Films/Titles/Gettin/Square

Ms Banditt said local businesses were already involved in the production, from providing linen and security services to crew members buying blankets and clothes from Toowoomba op-shops.

“They’ve chosen to keep everything local, from catering to linen services, which is a huge cash injection,” she said.

“We want to showcase ourselves for what we have to offer, and the great thing is locals businesses are being supported.”

The shoot is expected to take several weeks.