ON Wednesday 16 June renowned actor and local resident Russell Crowe, along with Pacific Bay owner Peter Montgomery and film producer Keith Rodger, announced plans to build a bespoke film studio complex that will also house a boutique hotel, a state-of-the-art film school, an Indigenous art gallery and an Olympic and film memorabilia museum at Pacific Bay resort.

The trio plan to take advantage of Coffs Harbour’s unique location to provide a premium lifestyle and world class production facilities for filmmakers based locally and from around the world.

Some of the advantages offered by the location include proximity to the airport, high speed links to the new data centre (400GB, meaning nearly no latency or delay in data transmission from the studios), easy access to rainforest, ocean and regional and rural landscapes and established infrastructure.

The team have connected with a wide range of potential industry partners and are confident that the project will provide a boost for the region through investment, jobs and ongoing training and tourism impacts.

With an estimated Capital Investment Value of $438,560,000, the project planning applications have been finalised and will be lodged with the state Government as a State Significant Development, with a view to commencing construction in twelve months’ time.

Russell Crowe said, “The opportunity to build a facility like this spreads opportunity through the community by creating jobs, and not just jobs, but professions and actual careers.”

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said that the state Government would pursue creating a Regional Job Precinct for the project which would help with planning support and allow for fast tracking approvals.

“This project has the potential to elevate Coffs Harbour to the world stage with international demand for filming space currently at an all-time high, the proposal, which also includes a boutique hotel, a state-of-the-art film school, an indigenous art gallery and an Olympic and film memorabilia museum, would provide an exciting new industry for the region,” said Mr Barilaro.

Coffs Harbour Mayor Denise Knight told News Of The Area that the project shows that creative industries in the area are open for business, and that the project has the potential to have a positive impact on other local infrastructure such as health and housing as well as offering jobs for creatives.

 

By David TUNE