WA’s first ever dedicated screen production facility will shine a spotlight on our local creative industry and put us in a strong position to attract larger national and international film, television and gaming projects to our state.
The State Government is investing $233.5 million to construct a screen production facility, with approximately 600 new jobs to be created (directly and indirectly) during construction.
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) will manage the overall project while construction of the facility will be undertaken by Home Fire Creative Industries Pty Ltd (Home Fire).
Arts and Culture Trust (ACT) is responsible for lease of the land and will become the owner of the asset (on behalf of the State) upon completion of the build. ACT will
hold the operational agreement with Home Fire Operations Pty Ltd and will oversee the operational management of Perth Film Studios.
Project background
In August 2020, the State Government announced it was seeking proposals from the private sector to locate, build and operate the state’s first ever screen production facility.
The facility would need to provide studio, digital and post-production services to complement the boom in location-based screen activities across regional WA. It would also have to meet the requirements of the emerging games and immersive technologies
sectors.
The call-out was part of a Problem and Opportunity Statement under the Government’s Market-led Proposals (MLP) program, with the process led by the Department of Planning, Lands, and Heritage.
Following a competitive Stage 1 and 2 MLP process, the State Government invited Home Fire to Stage 3 as preferred proponent to negotiate on an exclusive basis.
Following development approval in May 2023, Home Fire submitted its final binding offer to develop the facility in Malaga.
The development of Perth Film Studios is one of the 8 initiatives of the Screen Industry Strategy that supports the 10-year vision to grow and develop the Western Australian screen industry.
Project objectives
The project objectives are to:
- grow and develop the Western Australian screen industry to be globally competitive
- attract domestic and international productions
and screen projects to the state
- develop the local screen industry, boost employment and diversity the state’s economy
- develop and maintain a facility that is adaptable to the needs of screen production projects
- contribute to Western Australia’s reputation as a destination and gateway for cultural experiences.
Location
Perth Film Studios is situated in the north-eastern suburb of Malaga, near Whiteman Park.
Malaga provides the perfect location with its proximity to the Perth CBD and airport, direct access to major roads for travel to WA’s regional areas and access to future public transport including the new METRONET station at Malaga and the future station at Bennett Springs East.
The facility will be located on a 16-hectare site at Lot 811 Marshall Road and held in freehold title by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC).
Once the new Morley-Ellenbrook Line (MEL) is constructed, the site will be physically separate from Whiteman Park by the new rail corridor, creating an opportunity to optimise the underutilised strategic land.
The site is cleared and historically was used for cattle grazing. Importantly, due to the scale and availability of land in proximity to the site, there is an opportunity to consider expansion in the future.
About the facility
Perth Film Studios will have 4 sound stages with associated annex buildings, workshops with lockup and an entry office building.
The sound stages will have 15-metre ceilings and large opening doors to enable drive-in access for large trucks.
The 4 annex buildings will contain production offices, wardrobes, toilets, hair and makeup space, green rooms and meeting rooms.
Each sound stage, workshop and annex will be able to function as a separate, secure and standalone screen production operation to enable multiple screen operators to use the site whilst protecting intellectual property and production confidentiality. Or, alternatively, a single large screen production could hire out the entire facility.
There will be a large backlot provided for external filming opportunities, and a boneyard for multifunction use as required by productions.