"Where is the 'Hollywood of the North' in Sydney being born? — The Reality Facing the 2.6 Billion Yen Studio Plan"

"Where is the 'Hollywood of the North' in Sydney being born? — The Reality Facing the 2.6 Billion Yen Studio Plan"

"Hollywood North"—this term doesn't just refer to the geographic north. It signifies a region where the foundational elements necessary to drive the film industry—such as filming studios, technicians, education, accommodation, locations, and administrative support—are concentrated, attracting production projects from around the world. Currently, the area around Sydney is buzzing with activity over this title.


The underlying issue is a clear supply-demand gap. There has been an increase in the filming of large-scale productions, as well as local projects. However, the situation is such that "we want to shoot, but there are no available stages." This scenario is simultaneously driving policy and private investment, with multiple locations beginning to claim the title of "next central hub."


NSW Takes Action: "Second Studio" Concept on the Official Route

A significant factor is the state's decision-making. The NSW government, within a large package supporting the screen and digital gaming industries, has allocated capital for creating a "second world-class studio" in Sydney. According to the official announcement, they are considering government-owned land within roughly a 35km radius from the CBD and are proceeding with an EOI (Expression of Interest) to seek private partners.


This policy implies more than just "increasing nearby stages." While creating a safety net to not miss out on international large-scale projects, it also aims to retain employment and related businesses (VFX, post-production, production companies, logistics) within the state. In fact, the recognition that major studios within the state are often fully booked is woven into the policy language.


Another Contender? Calga's "Massive Studio City" Concept

Meanwhile, from "north of Sydney," the Central Coast, Calga, is stepping up with its plan. Central Coast Studios is proposing a film and entertainment complex worth approximately $260 million. The design is a "campus-type" integration of "production + learning + stay," including 10 sound stages, a large outdoor water filming tank, production offices, educational and training functions, as well as exhibition and museum elements akin to a cinema.


What is distinctive is that it packages not only facilities for production but also a hotel (6 floors, about 180 rooms), a daycare center, a 1,000-seat performance center, dining and retail options, ample parking, and even a helipad. It aims to complete the living infrastructure for cast and crew within the premises, assuming long working hours and stay-type filming on set.


However, the Biggest Hurdle is "Location": Agricultural Zoning and the Logic of "Ancillary Facilities"

Nevertheless, whether this concept ends as a "pipe dream" depends more on the "logic of the land" than the luxury of the facilities. The planned site in Calga is currently designated as a zoning area for agriculture and primary industries, and the state's planning authority is rigorously questioning "why such a large-scale concentrated development is being done here."


There are three main focal points in the review.

  1. Site Suitability: The rationale for introducing intensive "semi-urban" development into a low-density rural environment. Consideration of alternative sites closer to urban infrastructure is also often required.

  2. Traffic and Surrounding Impact: The capacity of access roads, increased traffic, conflicts with surrounding facilities, and alignment with nearby aviation activities require operational details.

  3. Can Hotels and Daycare be Justified as "For Film"?: If accommodation and daycare become independent commercial facilities for general customers, the nature of the plan changes. The review side demands an explanation, including operational rules, that these are "ancillary functions subordinate to production."


The planners position this not as mere "bonus facilities" but as a response to workplace challenges in production sites. For instance, regarding daycare, they argue it is a foundation to prevent job discontinuation in long-hour filming environments and particularly to prevent the resignation of personnel who have become parents. However, what is needed for the review is not just the ideology but also an operational design showing "who will use it, when, and to what extent." If this is vague, the entire plan may be reinterpreted as a "large-scale suburban complex development," significantly increasing the difficulty of obtaining permits.


It's Not "Winner Takes All," but Funds and Politics are Limited

What complicates this competition is that the capital allocation prepared by the state is not "infinite." The government aims to draw out private power through the EOI, but a catalyst is needed for the private sector to act. Therefore, candidate sites compete to present words that policies desire, such as job creation, economic ripple effects, educational collaboration, and regional revitalization.


The Calga proposal also strongly emphasizes its annual economic impact and employment scale. By creating a production hub, it aims to extend beyond filming to tourism, education, and service industries—this "comprehensive development" picture appears attractive to the region. However, at the same time, the more comprehensive it becomes, the more doubts arise, such as "Isn't that a commercial facility that could exist without movies?" This is precisely the core of the review.


SNS Reactions: Expectations and Concerns Progress Simultaneously

Reactions on social media can be broadly described as a tug-of-war between "excitement" and "realism."

  • Supporters: "If there's a shortage of production space, we should increase the capacity," "Including training and education for young people is strong," "It can attract international projects."

  • Skeptics: "Isn't massive development on farmland unreasonable?" "Can the traffic and infrastructure handle it?" "Will the hotel and daycare essentially become resorts?"

  • Temperature Differences and Surprises: Comments about geographical perceptions, such as "I first learned the location is Calga" and "It's further 'north of Sydney' than I imagined," can also be seen (in comment sections of shared reports, etc.).


Interestingly, the divide is not over "supporting or not supporting the film industry." Many are positive about the expansion of the film industry itself, and the debate has shifted to "where," "at what scale," and "how to reconcile with the region." In other words, the issue is less about "the pros and cons of industrial policy" and more about "the consistency of urban planning."

Key Points to Watch in 2026

There are three points to watch going forward.

  1. Conditions Indicated by the State's EOI: Where the "winning strategy" is placed, such as government land, distance requirements, and road connectivity.

  2. Design Changes to the Calga Proposal: How concretely the handling of ancillary facilities, operational restrictions, and traffic measures are addressed in response to SEARs (environmental and planning requirements).

  3. Role Division Between the "Second Studio" and Surrounding Hubs: Whether to increase large stages near the CBD or to create a dispersed network to the north, west, and southwest. This will also change the meaning of "Hollywood North."


Movies don't run on talent in front of the camera alone. Filming space, permits, regional agreements, and living infrastructure are all essential. What is happening around Sydney now is a modern debate on urban development, focusing on where to concentrate the "conditions that make the film industry viable." Regardless of who the winner is, this struggle anticipates "what will be lacking next."


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