Earlier this month, following the most successful Sydney Film Festival to date, the NSW Government announced it would commit $380 million to support the screen industry – including $100 million for a new film studio in the state. Now, plans for a potential studio on the Central Coast – just an hour’s drive from Sydney’s CBD – have been revealed.
The 30-hectare site for Central Coast Studios is located in the town of Calga, 62 kilometres north of Sydney in the beautiful Glenworth Valley region of the Central Coast. Here, the team plans to build a $230 million world-class screen production facility featuring 10 sound stages, a film museum, production offices, an education and training precinct, and a series of studios for on-site production. The proposed plans include sustainable, accessible design that celebrates Australia's natural beauty, along with amenities such as a helipad and Australia’s largest water tank. Plus, there will be room for expansion – with the team behind the project anticipating continued growth.
With Australian screen, television, and digital game production on the rise, the aim is to support a new generation – with Central Coast Studios set to create more than 2,500 jobs in the area (across construction, screen production, hospitality and education).
The project was conceived in 2020, and with industry leaders involved in the team, it was already on track to come to life under a self-funded, staged delivery model. The announcement of $100 million in government backing for a new film studio in the area could accelerate the project – we’ll just have to watch this space to see if Central Coast Studios is the recipient of the funding.
According to the team, the concept has already received praise from local and industry stakeholders – including tertiary education providers and community bodies – for its potential to boost employment in the area, with initial models estimating the studios would inject $500 million into the economy every year.
Heath Bonnefin, Co-Director of Central Coast Studios and developer, explained:
“Our vision for Central Coast Studios is to put our beautiful region on the map – globally – as a leading destination for film, television and digital game production. The proposed studios precinct will not only create hundreds of professional roles in film, television and game development here on the Coast, but will also open up a host of new opportunities across tourism, education and small business – while ensuring long-term resilience and showcasing Greater Sydney.”
You can keep tabs on the project over here.