Hollywood star Russell Crowe's vision for a film studio precinct in regional NSW is closer to becoming reality, with a target set to start work at the site early next year.
Crowe — who lives near Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast — in 2021 announced the coastal city's Pacific Bay Resort would be home to a major film studio precinct, which has been dubbed Aussiewood.
The resort's director, Peter Montgomery, said the studios would include five large sound stages, facilities for animation, post production and e-sports, as well as a branch of the national film school and offices.
"Our target is to break ground in early 2024," he said.
"Obviously we still have to go through the planning hoops, of which there are many.
"It'll be just magnificent for Coffs Harbour and the region."
Accommodation onsite
A film museum and upgrades to the Pacific Bay Resort are also part of the project, which is estimated to cost more than $400 million.
The studios will be integrated within the resort precinct to enable actors and production crew to stay onsite while filming.
"This is will be a special, first-time ever that you will have film-making of a high quality and big scale in a resort," Mr Montgomery said.
The project, formally known as Pacific Bay Resort Studios and Village stage two, has been identified by the NSW government as a state significant development.
If re-elected at the March state election, the Coalition government has committed to invest up to $10 million for a 400-metre sound barrier to ensure the studios were not adversely affected by noise from the Coffs Harbour Pacific Highway bypass.
Regardless of which party is elected at the March election, Mr Montgomery hoped the film studios would continue to receive the support from the state government.
"We are very hopeful that all sides of politics will see the merit of this enormous new industry for regional NSW," he said.
