The Government of Western Australia (WA) has announced the start of forward works at the site of a proposed screen production facility.

This facility is situated near the Malaga Metronet station precinct.

The scope of the construction project of this facility includes site preparation, site establishment, surveying, filling, bulk earthworks, and installation of drainage systems.

Works are expected to be finished by late 2024.

WA Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said: “The studio will have the potential to generate significant employment throughout its operations, plus other benefits from attracting more people into WA for accommodation providers, hospitality and transport.”

The proposed site was identified after many challenges with the original proposed location at Victoria Quay, Fremantle.

The state government released a Problem and Opportunity Statement for delivering and managing a screen production facility through an open market process under the market-led Proposals policy, with Home Fire as the preferred proponent.

The government is still evaluating Home Fire’s proposal to develop a creative industries hub at E Shed as part of stage three of the market-led Proposals process.

According to WA Premier Roger Cook, the national government is currently seeing a return on the state government’s investment in the Production Attraction Incentive. Large projects such as The Surfer, The Twelve, and We Bury the Dead will create local employment, allowing local skill development.

Cook further added: “My government is delivering a range of economic diversification initiatives to set our state up for the long-term, and the development of this studio will cement WA as the place to film high-quality productions.”