Western Australia's first dedicated screen production facility is a step closer - with detailed due diligence to commence on a 16-hectare site within the Malaga METRONET station precinct in Perth's north-east.
The proposed site - off Marshall Road and south of Whiteman Park - has been selected for its proximity to the Perth CBD and airport, access to future public transport, scale of the available land, and its direct access to major roads for travel to regional areas of the State.
The alternative site has been identified following several challenges with the original proposed location at Victoria Quay, Fremantle.
The screen production facility project was released by the State Government as a Problem and Opportunity Statement and is progressing through the Market-led Proposal process with Home Fire Pty Ltd as the preferred proponent.
The State Government is continuing to negotiate with Home Fire on the commercial terms of development, with terms to be finalised in 2023.
As part of the ongoing negotiations, Home Fire will progress the proposal at the site, which includes site investigations, final design, and relevant planning applications. If the final proposal is approved by the State Government, it is anticipated that construction will commence in late 2023.
The negotiations will also consider a Creative Industries Hub at Victoria Quay's E Shed in Fremantle.
The development of a new screen production facility will support the McGowan Government's investment in the State's creative industries to diversify the economy through the attraction of film, TV, and screen projects to WA.
Home Fire's proposal is to design, construct, operate and maintain the studio. The proposed development will include purpose-built sound stages and other onsite screen production facilities such as production offices, an art department and wardrobe, workshops, a backlot, parking, and set storage.
Consultation with the community on the proposed site will take place as part of any future planning applications.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Backing Western Australia's film and television industry is a critical part of our plan to diversify WA's economy and create new local job opportunities.
"Western Australia's natural beauty makes it an ideal location for film and TV production and having a world class screen production facility right here in Perth will make our State an even more attractive proposition for investment in interstate and international productions.
"Today's announcement is another step forward on delivering our election commitment for a new screen production facility for Western Australia - supporting local industry and local jobs for our State."
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"Western Australia is already home to an extremely talented creative sector, but it is recognised that a dedicated screen production facility is needed to put us in an even stronger position to attract larger and more complex national and international film and TV projects to our State.
"This announcement brings us closer to having the pivotal infrastructure needed to take our screen industry to the next level.
"The studio has the potential to generate significant employment throughout its operations - that's including work and training for actors, camera operators, costume and set designers, sound and lighting technicians, video editors, and makeup artists. There will also be indirect benefits from attracting more film and TV shows to the State, including for accommodation providers, hospitality, and transport.
"The McGowan Government's investment towards the screen production facility, alongside our commitment to the WA production attraction incentive program, is central to the State Government's Screen Industry Strategy. This strategy will help to grow this sector and create a highly skilled workforce to take advantage."
As stated by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"As we deliver the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line there is going to be significant scope for growth of new industries, and the delivery of a screen production facility within the new Malaga Station precinct is a fantastic example of the opportunities we have.
"The future precinct will become a strategic community and employment hub for Perth's growing north-east - with a high-frequency train station, new homes and businesses, and now the potential for a one-of-a-kind screen production facility.
"Home Fire will now undertake further due diligence on the site, including consultation with the City of Swan, Traditional Owners, and other relevant stakeholders - with opportunities for further feedback through any future development application process. Consultation with the City of Fremantle will also occur in relation to Home Fire's proposed creative industries hub.
"The McGowan Government will continue to work closely with Home Fire on this proposal."
