New WA screen production facility to create 600 local construction jobs

Western Australia welcomes the creation of hundreds of jobs as construction commences on a new screen production facility near the METRONET Malaga Station precinct. 

The State Government has confirmed that the film studio is going to be built by Home Fire Creative Industries. A Problem and Opportunity Statement for the delivery and operation of a screen production facility was released in an open market process under the Market-led Proposals Policy and Home Fire was chosen as the preferred proponent for the Malaga project. 

“Our Government has a plan to diversify our economy to ensure we have a broad mix of industries that create economic and social benefits for the State – and the screen sector ticks all the boxes. 

“Western Australia is already an attractive place to fil due to our shared time zones with Southeast Asia, natural assets that offer a variety of unique filming locations, predictable weather conditions and an abundance of sunshine that allows for consistent scheduling and lighting conditions. 

“We also have an established industry, ready to take advantage of the opportunities that will be created from the State’s investment in the screen production facility. 

“The delivery of the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line and Malaga Station precinct has allowed us to plan for the growth of new industries in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs, including this one-of-a-kind screen production facility, which is tangible evidence of our commitment to the area,” Treasurer Rita Saffioti said. 

The new screen production facility will support local creative industries in diversifying the economy while also enabling Western Australia to become a major player in the screen industry, increase the number of local productions and attract more major projects. 

The facility includes four purpose-built sound stages and other on-site screen production facilities such as production offices, an art department and wardrobe, workshops, a backlot, parking and set storage. 

“The start of construction of the screen production facility is a milestone moment that represents the beginning of an exciting and prosperous future for the industry here in WA. 

“The facility will be a cornerstone of our Government’s long-term strategy to expand the local creative industry and put WA in a strong position to attract high-quality national and international productions, as well as enhance and support WA-based productions. 

“We have an exceptionally talented sector who are well-regarded globally but have historically had to venture elsewhere to work and this facility will ensure that we keep this talent here. 

“The Government’s vision for the future of the industry will be outlined in the WA Screen Industry Strategy which will be released in the coming months. 

“This strategy provides a road map that will grow the film and TV production sector over the coming decades and help achieve the Government’s objective to diversify the WA economy,” Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said. 

The State Government is investing $233.5 million towards the construction of the screen production facility, which is estimated to create approximately 600 local direct and indirect jobs. 

“Western Australia is already seeing a return on our Production Attraction Incentive investment, with filming of major high-quality productions like The Surfer, The Twelve and We Bury the Dead creating new local job opportunities, enabling skill development and showing off our beautiful State. 

“Backing Western Australia’s film and television industry is a critical part of our plan to diversify WA’s economy and set our State up for the long term. 

“My Government is committed to providing Western Australia’s screen industry with a production facility, and the commencement of construction today cements out important election commitment. 

“This investment will grow Western Australia’s screen industry, increasing our ability to attract more national and international productions and benefit from the billions of dollars spent on productions in Australia each year,” Premier Roger Cook said. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; WA Today