- $290.5 million investment to position
WA as a leading destination for screen production
- Part of the Cook Government's plan to
diversify the economy, attract investment and create local jobs
- Reinforces State
Government's commitment to fostering a vibrant and creative economy
The Cook Government today
announced a major milestone in Western Australia's ambition to become a leading
destination for national and international screen production with the practical
completion of the world-class Perth Film Studios.
Almost $300 million has
been invested in the facility, including $233.5 million in construction and a
further $57 million to support management and operations over the first 10
years through an agreement with Perth-based company Home Fire.
Practical completion has
been delivered on time and on budget, strengthening the State Government's
vision to grow creative industries and position the State as a leading
destination for screen production.
The state-of-the-art
facility includes:
- four sound stages totalling 90,000 square feet,
with 40-metre clear spans providing more than 8,200m² of production space - the
equivalent of more than 31 tennis courts;
- two annexes, workshops for set and prop
construction, and the largest backlot in the southern hemisphere at 23,200m² -
22 per cent larger than the turfed surface of Optus Stadium;
- 8,500m² of office and administration space,
including hair, makeup and costume facilities, production offices, staff
amenities and a theatre screening room;
- 160,000m³ of locally sourced sand used to level
the site - enough to fill 64 Olympic-sized swimming pools; and
- more than 1,670 tonnes of locally acquired and
manufactured steel.
Perth Film Studios also revealed
this week public art works created by Aboriginal artists Lea Taylor and Buffie
Punch, including an entry statement and yarning circle to reflect local culture
and Country. These incorporate motifs inspired by Mia Mia shelters, water, fire
and the native banksia leaf.
The project is a key part
of the Western Australian Screen Industry Strategy, designed to diversify the
economy, attract investment and create local jobs.
Comments attributed to
Premier Roger Cook:
"Perth Film Studios
represents the cornerstone of my government's goal to establish our State as a
major creative centre for international and national film, television and
digital media production.
"With Perth Film Studios
reaching completion we are helping to diversify the economy, create local jobs
and unlock new opportunities for talent and innovation in our State.
"This studio complex is absolutely
world-class, and I look forward to seeing it welcome the first of many national
and international productions as we begin a new era for the WA screen industry."
Comments attributed to Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
"Our WA screen production
industry continues to achieve success, and the construction of Perth Film
Studios will expand the industry and create real opportunities for our talented
creative professionals in WA.
"It will provide real
career pathways, provide work and training for actors, camera operators,
costume and set designers, sound and lighting technicians, video editors,
makeup artists and many other roles.
"It is a really exciting
time for our screen industry in Western Australia. I look forward to seeing the
economic benefits of our continued investment in everything our creatives have
to offer."
Comments attributed to
West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti:
"The
north-east corridor of Perth is continuing to grow and major projects like the
Perth Film Studios create great local job opportunities for our community.
"Over
the next decade, we want the Perth Film Studios to help diversify our State's
economy by attracting a greater number and scale of productions to WA,
building on our strong history of location-based and regional filming."
