These vacant railway yards at Redfern could be Sydney's next mega film studios
Market soundings for potential screen studio locations were concluded last month to identify suitable sites and viable options for screen infrastructure and production spaces.
The government's $100 million investment will be subject to business case approval and probably focus on a second studio proposal for Oran Park in south-west Sydney and potentially another slated for Silverwater.
Celebrated Australian director George Miller said the key was finding the right location for the new studios – close to existing infrastructure such as transport, post-production facilities, a back lot and even places to eat.
The commitment to a second film studio comes after US President Donald Trump last month announced a 100 per cent tariff on all movies produced outside the United States. NSW Arts Minister John Graham said on Sunday that such a move would be 'self-defeating'.
'If the US is going to go down this path, it would not only damage activity here in NSW, it'd damage it in Hollywood,' he said.
'But it's a matter for them. We're monitoring developments closely, [but] standing up for the industry here in NSW.'
The budget commitment was welcomed by Business Sydney's executive director Paul Nicolaou, who said it was a timely response to a pressing need to bolster the state's infrastructure and maintain its competitive edge in the international film and screen industry.
The proposed sites near Eveleigh rail yards in Redfern and another at Silverwater presented strategic opportunities for expansion.
'Eveleigh's rich industrial heritage offers a unique backdrop that could be revitalised to blend historical significance with modern cinematic infrastructure. Silverwater's strategic location and existing infrastructure make it an ideal candidate for such development.
'These locations could significantly enhance Sydney's capacity to host large-scale productions, attracting international projects and stimulating local economic growth.'
Matt Levinson, culture policy lead at Committee for Sydney, said the lack of an adequate sound stage and base for film production had hobbled Sydney's potential.
Loading
'We strongly support the government's move to invest in this area and the work they're doing to get the policy settings right,' Levinson said.
'On the face of it, North Eveleigh is the perfect location – close to transport links for workers and logistics, plenty of space and deeply embedded among the many hundreds of tech, media and creative production businesses around Central.
'Wherever it lands, what's needed is a space that can unlock the tremendous potential across our city's film, screen and gaming sectors and those local producers need to be leading the charge.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
24 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Trump speaks on ‘spectacular military success' of US strikes on Iran
President Donald Trump says the US administration's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites were a 'spectacular military success'. Mr Trump has addressed the nation after the United States carried out attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran, marking a significant development in the conflict in the Middle East.
9 News
27 minutes ago
- 9 News
US President Donald Trump says the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites have been a 'spectacular success'
US President Donald Trump says the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites have been a 'spectacular success'
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Former prime minister Scott Morrison backs US strikes on Iran, slams Albanese government's ‘ambiguity'
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has thrown his support behind US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling the operation a "necessary event". US President Donald Trump ordered strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (Australian time), escalating the Middle East conflict to new heights. Mr Morrison told Sky News on Sunday that the strikes would help to bring peace, and accused the Albanese government of failing to take a clear stance on the conflict. 'This was a necessary event. There were no other options available to the president,' Mr Morrison said. 'This has been the most decisive and the most comprehensive action to terminate that threat.' The former prime minister also criticised the Albanese government for its unclear position on the Iran-Israel conflict. 'It's time for some clarity. I think there's been far too much ambiguity about this from Australia, far too much ambiguity, and it's time for clarity.' Defence Minister Richard Marles earlier had refused to directly back possible US strikes and instead reiterated the government's call for 'de-escalation'. Pressed on whether Australia supported the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, Mr Marles repeatedly avoided a direct answer. 'Uh, uh. Um, I'm... articulating the Australian government's position. That's the only thing I can articulate.' 'We have used our voice to urge de-escalation. And that's our position in respect of both the Iranian program, but also… in respect of this conflict,' he said. While acknowledging that Iran's nuclear ambitions were 'concerning' and 'a threat to peace and stability,' Mr Marles declined to endorse any US military response. The exchange followed Foreign Minister Penny Wong's shifting position on Australia's attitude toward the Israel-Iran conflict. The government has faced criticism in recent weeks for its slow and cautious responses to Iranian aggression and its measured language toward Israel. Shadow energy minister Dan Tehan told Sky News Sunday Agenda that the Albanese government has 'isolated themselves' from the Israeli government. 'I think that has left them in a situation where they're really trying to walk two sides here,' Mr Tehan said. 'I think what we need to see from the government is greater moral clarity as to whether they do, once and for all, want to see Iran rid of its nuclear weapons program.' Liberal Senator and former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma recently criticised Ms Wong for initially calling for de-escalation and diplomacy. 'Part of the reason for this war is the failure of dialogue… there have been multiple rounds of negotiations held with Iran,' Mr Sharma told Sky News. 'I don't see much prospect for dialogue.' The US strikes on Sunday targeted Iran's key nuclear sites at Natanz, Esfahan, and Fordow. President Trump confirmed the operation involved B-2 bombers, with six bunker-buster bombs used to destroy facilities buried deep in the mountains. 'Fordow is gone… Iran must now agree to end this war,' President Trump posted on Truth Social. Mr Morrison praised the US response as a proportionate show of strength after all diplomatic avenues had failed. 'This is not something that I believe (Trump) wants to see widened. But this hopefully resolves that question of their nuclear capability,' he said. The Albanese government has yet to formally comment on the US operation. Sky News has contacted the Defence Minister for comment.
