‘Considerable interest’ to develop WA’s first film studio

The quest to build WA’s first film studio is heating up, with the State Government extending the deadline for proposals by the private sector to develop the facility.

The deadline for WA’s screen industry to make submissions to develop state-of-the-art studio facilities in Perth will run another two weeks to September 25, after strong interest was shown for the project.

The Government earlier this month called for proposals from the private sector to locate, develop and operate a screen production facility within 20km of Perth’s central business district, as well as cater for the gaming and emerging technologies sectors.

Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said there had been “considerable interest” in the request.

“To ensure we get the best possible outcome for WA, we have decided to extend the deadline for industry participants to submit their proposals,” he said.

It comes as insiders within WA’s film industry fear the State will miss out again on Federal Government funding, with the latest $400 million relief package unlikely to have a local impact because of a lack of local facilities, namely a film studio.

In a bid to create thousands of jobs, Prime Minister Scott Morrison last month committed an additional $400m to the successful Location Incentive Program over the next three years — on top of $140m given in 2018 — to attract international film and television productions to Australia.