- $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 8,200m 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 23,200m - 22 per cent larger than the turfed surface of Optus Stadium;
- 8,500m of office and administration space, including hair, makeup and costume facilities, production offices, staff amenities and a theatre screening room;
- 160,000m 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.
As stated by 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."
As stated by 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."
As stated by West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti:
"The north-east corridor of Perth is continuing to grow and major projects like the Perth Film Studios creategreat local job opportunities for our community.
"Over the next decade, we want the Perth Film Studios to help diversify our State's economy by attractinga greater number and scale of productions to WA, building on our strong history of location-based and regional filming."
