Arabic version: حكومة نيو ساوث ويلز تستكشف استوديو أفلام جديد في غرب سيدني

The New South Wales government is considering Western Sydney as a potential site for the state’s second major film studio. The Minns government has earmarked three areas—Bungarribee near Blacktown, Eastern Creek, and Prospect—as possible locations for this new facility. According to ABC News, the government is currently seeking expressions of interest for investment in the Greater Sydney site, which would need a minimum of six sound stages.

Local industry leaders have expressed support for the proposal, emphasizing its potential to generate employment across various production roles. The move comes as New South Wales aims to reclaim its position as Australia’s leading hub for screen production. Recent figures show that film production expenditure in the state fell by 51 percent in 2024/25, totalling $832 million, while Queensland experienced a 16 percent increase, reaching $925 million.

Arts Minister John Graham highlighted the government’s commitment to investing in the screen sector’s future. Local filmmakers have voiced concerns over the limited availability of studio space, which has forced many to seek alternative filming locations, including warehouses near noisy train stations. They are eager for a facility that can accommodate lower to middle-budget productions, ensuring a diverse range of content is produced.

The proposal for a second studio is seen as a crucial step in maintaining a steady flow of work for the local industry. Claire Pullen, executive director of the Australian Writers’ Guild, stated that such a facility would help balance between big-budget foreign productions and smaller local projects that resonate with audiences. The government has abandoned its previous requirement for the studio to be within a 35-kilometre radius of the CBD, aiming to keep all options open for potential bids.

With the possibility of Western Sydney hosting future major productions, local business leaders are optimistic about the region’s cinematic potential. David Borger from Business Western Sydney noted that travel times to studio locations have not deterred productions in other countries, citing successful studios like Pinewood in the UK. He expressed hope that iconic films like Mad Max could be produced in Western Sydney, reflecting the area’s growing significance in the film industry.