By Linda Morris
A 30-hectare site south of Gosford has emerged as a potential new home for Sydney’s screen and television sector, one week after the NSW government put $100 million on the table to begin the hunt for the city’s second film studio.
Along with inner city Redfern, Oran Park and Silverwater in the west, it brings to four the number of locations vying to house much-needed new sound stages and screen production facilities for Australia’s gateway screen capital.
A render of Central Coast Studios to be sited on 30 hectares next to the Glenworth Valley. Credit: CKDS Architecture
The proposed Central Coast site lies one kilometre off the M1 Motorway, on cleared land currently used as an equine facility. It sits beside Glenworth Valley, where Disney, lessee of nine studios at Moore Park, filmed outdoor scenes for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Central Coast Studios Pty Ltd directors Heath Bonnefin and Craig Giles lodged initial plans for their complex with the NSW Department of Planning in February and are seeking state-significant development status.
As a working screenwriter and assistant director, Giles said he had seen first-hand the demand for purpose-built production infrastructure in NSW, particularly within Greater Sydney.
“This facility has the potential to draw major international productions back to NSW – productions that are already choosing Queensland or Victoria because the infrastructure and incentives are better,” he said.
“This precinct is about fixing that gap and unlocking a new era for the state’s screen sector.”
A call-out for expressions of interest in the government’s $100 million investment is expected to occur in coming months, as the location, demand and optimal spread of screen facilities are further refined.
The $230 million Central Coast Studios promises to be a “state-of-the-art hub for television, film and gaming production”, offering 10 purpose-built sound stages, Australia’s largest external water tank for filming water scenes, production offices, digital media studios and post-production suites, a multi-storey 180-room hotel, parking for more than 700 cars, and an entertainment quarter with cafes, restaurants and bars.
Aerial view of the studio complex boasting 10 purpose-built studios and Australia’s largest water tank.Credit: Central Coast Pty Ltd
With the site already secured, the directors say the project is fully capable of proceeding under a self-funded, staged model. Support from government, however, would accelerate development and unlock broader economic, educational and cultural benefits for the region, they said.
All four of the proposed studio locations either require access to Crown land, usually via discounted peppercorn leases, or government investment – or both – to proceed.
The Central Coast Studio team participated in market soundings led by the government’s arts agency, Create NSW, which concluded last month.
The process also flushed out $127 million proposal for three sound stages, workshops, offices, a helipad and a 26-hectare back lot at Oran Park, in the city’s outer south-west, a studio complex near to Silverwater Jail, and another mixed studio and affordable housing development earmarked for abandoned rail yards at Redfern.
Local MPs and the business chamber have backed the Central Coast plans along with the Australian Writers’ Guild.
“The studios will deliver world-class facilities to expand opportunities for writers – creating jobs, fostering talent, and amplifying Australian stories both locally and abroad,” said Australian Writers’ Guild chief executive Claire Pullen.
Location Managers Guild International board secretary Lisa Scope, said: “Location managers are always looking for locations and environments that offer strong infrastructure, local support, easy access – and great cinematic appeal.
“The proposed Central Coast Studios is less than an hour from Sydney and surrounded by versatile film-friendly landscapes. With rising industry demand and a growing screen sector, a purpose-built film hub is exactly what’s needed.”
The plan’s proponents might, however, have to persuade independent producers and international studios who would prefer Sydney’s second studio be located as close as possible to the Sydney CBD and existing studio infrastructure, and training schools.
Celebrated Australian director George Miller said the key was finding the right location “that can’t be too far out” from existing infrastructure such as transport, post-production facilities, a back lot, and even places to eat.
“It’s not like ‘build it, and they will come’,” he said. “It’s really got to be thought through holistically to make it really work. And the key to it, of course, is the talent.”
Early modelling suggests the Central Coast Studio plan could generate 2500 jobs in the region and generate more than $500 million in annual economic benefit, while supporting the long-term growth of Australia’s screen, game production and creative industries.
A spokesperson for the Department of Creative Industries said the recent targeted market sounding process confirmed the priority screen infrastructure needed in Sydney, supporting the existing and growing demand for production in NSW.
“The details and timelines of a future process are being developed and will be communicated in due course,” they said.
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