Hemmant site preferred for Brisbane’s new screen production complex

Brisbane’s new $12 million screen and television studio complex is a big step closer with a privately owned industrial site at 45 Gosport Street, Hemmant the Palaszczuk Government's preferred site.

The site, near the historic Queensport Hotel, currently houses five large vacant warehouses that would be converted into a state-of-the-art film and television complex.

Screen Queensland plans include the development of two sound stages to house two productions simultaneously, and flexible spaces for wardrobe, costume and makeup, set and prop construction workshops and warehousing.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a 20 day community consultation for the proposed complex commences this week giving an opportunity for council, local businesses and residents to have their say.

“Broadening our infrastructure offerings to local and international production companies is a key component of our Screen Industry 10 Year Roadmap and Action Plan.

“We are investing in this vital Queensland industry, supporting the creative jobs of the future and continuing to put Queensland’s talented local practitioners centre-stage.

“Brisbane’s new complex, expected to be operational later this year, will be a complementary facility to the in demand, world-class, Village Road Show Studios on the Gold Coast," the Premier said.

VRS is almost exclusively used for large-scale blockbusters and feature film productions, providing little opportunity for smaller productions to use the facility.

Queensland’s domestic screen industry has seen rapid growth and expansion through the investment from the Production Attraction Strategy and the ability to secure productions such as: the first Netflix Originals Series; a Stan feature film; as well as SBS and ABC television drama series.

The new production centre at Hemmant could well host filming for the second series of the very popular ABC Studios International crime drama, Harrow, later this year.

“Establishing a new Screen Production Centre in Brisbane is a must-do. The lack of more screen production facilities in the city is hampering the development of a sustainable screen industry built upon an ever-growing pipeline of productions.

“I’m looking forward to seeing local practitioners taking advantage of these new facilities to tell our local stories and continue to showcase Queensland to the world’s audiences.

“We could discover the next Nicole Kidman, Chris Hemsworth or Margot Robbie right here in Brisbane,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

A recent review into the screen sector by Deloitte found that the screen industry supported more than 7000 jobs in 2016-17 and contributed almost $1 billion to the state's economy.

“I met with several major US studios during my trade mission in June and the level of interest in filming movies in Queensland is enormous.

“Between Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, the increase in the Federal location offset and our 10-year roadmap, we are very well placed to achieve our objective of a sustainable screen industry for Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

ENDS

Media contact:

Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875