Cairns studio set to cement Far North as global film destination
Work to transform an old Bunnings warehouse into a state-of-the-art film studio has at last kicked off five years after the building was identified as the perfect site for the landmark project.
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Long-awaited construction on a state-of-the-art film studio expected to entice creatives from across the globe to the Far North has kicked off five years after the former Portsmith Bunnings building was identified as the perfect site for the landmark project.
The 6500sq/m new studio complex at Portsmith, when complete, will house a sound stage, production offices, construction, wardrobe, hair and makeup departments, an events space and permanent creative tenancy opportunities.
The $12.6m development will be a vital creative hub for the region and lure more valuable productions to Queensland.
The construction contract has been awarded to local company Richard Field Constructions.
The Screen Queensland film hub will link in with Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane and Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast to develop a statewide studio network in a bid to entice producers to create film content in the Sunshine State.
Far North screen champion and Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt had advocated tirelessly for the Screen Queensland Studios in Cairns since 2018.
The film buff and massive Star Wars fan was thrilled construction had at last kicked off.
“The state-of-the-art facility, built across 6500 sq/m at Portsmith, will enhance this region’s flourishing reputation as a screen hub and will continue to grow opportunities for First Nations writers and directors and other local creatives,” he said.
“This development has been underpinned by our Far North Queensland Screen
Production Strategic Plan, and the great work undertaken by the Far North
Queensland Screen Implementation Committee has helped to facilitate its delivery.”
The Palaszczuk Government has also allocated $7.95m over six years for operational costs, supporting job opportunities for Far North Queensland.
Screen Queensland chief executive officer Courtney Gibson said the new studio complex would position Cairns as one of the most attractive places in the world to make drama and features.
“Cairns already provides spectacular tropical locations and an international airport, with fantastic accommodation, hospitality and lifestyle offerings,” Ms Gibson said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project would create 35 jobs during construction and provide a new facility that would support an ongoing pipeline of projects and local jobs right through the supply chain to grow the industry.
She said high profile productions such as Wizards! and the Netflix series Irreverent, set in Mission Beach, was just the beginning of an emerging Far North film industry.
“But we want even more productions to be filmed in Cairns and that is why we are investing $12.6m on a new film studio at Portsmith,” she said.
“Tropical North Queensland is renowned for its stunning beach, rainforest locations and skilled workers, which is very appealing to production companies and has driven interest in the region as a screen production and tourism destination.”
The film and TV studio complex is expected to open late 2023 after it was originally announced the studio would open mid-2022.
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Originally published as Cairns studio set to cement Far North as global film destination
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