Western Sydney Film Studio, ‘Lakeside Studio’ in the Works

by Dov Kornits

“Who needs Hollywood Hills when we’ve got Penrith Lakes? NSW is home to some of the best film production crews in the world, so it’s fitting they have a place to call home in Greater Sydney,” said Rob Stokes, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.

Sydney, of course, already has Fox Studios in the Eastern Suburbs, however, Australia’s biggest city is busy working towards launching an international airport by 2026, and now comes news that a 39 hectare area west of the Penrith CBD will be transformed into 10 sounds stages and a Lakeside Media Park, which will also include the Lakeside Academy for up to 200 students and a hotel.

Heading up the initiative is veteran producer James M. Vernon (Hacksaw Ridge), joined by his daughter and fellow producer Kristy Vernon (Gabriel, Sweet River) in the role of Director Studio Operations and former Warner Bros. International president Wayne Duband, who will serve as international studio consultant.

“The advent of the streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Apple+ and Amazon have forever changed the way entertainment content is being produced and consumed,” said James M. Vernon. “As streaming platforms race to produce original content, surging demand for studio sound stage space has created a worldwide shortage of studio facilities, with global filmmakers looking to target New South Wales as a permanent expansion location for major productions.”

“I am also very thrilled to see the establishment of a local film academy that will draw to it many Western Sydney students that would otherwise find it difficult to attend other film school establishments, said Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh MP. “I am especially pleased that Lakeside Studio will be instituting a program of traineeships and apprenticeships for the provision of locally based film crew personnel.”

“This is a fantastic result for Penrith that will bring jobs and investment while activating a beautiful part of Western Sydney,” said Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres.

“While it’s great to see overseas producers coming over, we can’t forget about our local content makers,” added Kristy Vernon. “Sydney is home to some of the best creative talent anywhere in the world, so every effort will be made to nurture, harness and promote the emerging writers, directors and producers, with the establishment of the Lakeside Academy. When a movie hits town everybody benefits, from the smallest local coffee shop, to the
largest industries, trades and entrepreneurial businesses.”

Partnering with the Vernons is the Penrith Lakes Development Corporation (PLDC), a joint venture between Boral Resources (NSW), Holcim Australia and Hanson Australia.

There will be 3 phases in the construction plan, promising 3 large-sized sound stages, and 7 more of varying sizes; 2,600 car parking spaces; studio reception and audience holding area, guard house and perimeter security fencing; an exterior infinity water tank and an interior water tank to meet international production standards and demand; extensive lakes for on-site water shooting options; significant back lot shooting options; over 9,000sqm of workshop space; office space for production and ancillary businesses; Lakeside Academy (film school), with dedicated studio space, lecture rooms, workshops, screening room, officers, cafeteria and campus grounds; more production office space and hotel to accommodate cast, crew and international students; 20 square kilometres of reserves and open space, including 800 hectares of purpose-built lakes and wetlands.