Construction begins on new WA studios

Construction of Western Australia’s new screen production facility has begun at a site on Marshall Road, near the Malaga METRONET station precinct.

The Cook Labor Government yeterday confirmed Home Fire will build the facility, with doors to open to host the first production in 2026. The government will invest $233.5 million to construct the facility, with approximately 600 local direct and indirect new jobs to be created during its construction.

The facility will include four purpose-built sound stages and other onsite screen production facilities such as production offices, an art department and wardrobe, workshops, a backlot, parking and set storage.

Premier Roger Cook said, “Western Australia is already seeing a return on our Production Attraction Incentive investment, with filming of major high-quality productions like The Surfer, The Twelve and We Bury the Dead creating new local jobs opportunities, enabling skill development and showing off our beautiful State.

“Backing Western Australia’s film and television industry is a critical part of our plan to diversify WA’s economy and set our State up for the long term.

“My Government is committed to providing Western Australia’s screen industry with a production facility, and the commencement of construction today cements our important election commitment.

“This investment will grow Western Australia’s screen industry, increasing our ability to attract more national and international productions and benefit from the billions of dollars spent on productions in Australia each year.”

Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman added, “The start of construction of the screen production facility is a milestone moment that represents the beginning of an exciting and prosperous future for the industry here in WA.

“The facility will be a cornerstone of our Government’s long-term strategy to expand the local creative industry and put WA in a strong position to attract high-quality national and international productions, as well as enhance and support WA-based productions.

“We have an exceptionally talented sector who are well-regarded globally but have historically had to venture elsewhere to work and this facility will ensure that we keep this talent here.

“The Government’s vision for the future of the industry will be outlined in the WA Screen Industry Strategy which will be released in the coming months.

“This strategy provides a road map that will grow the film and TV production sector over the coming decade and help achieve the Government’s objective to diversify the WA economy.”