Planned film studio could have ‘massive flow-on effect'
Kyle Murdoch. Photo: supplied
A proposed $200 million Queenstown film studio flagged for fast-track approval could have a "massive flow-on effect" for the region and make it easier to attract projects to the South, an industry leader says.
Winton Land Ltd announced this week its plans to build and operate a new screen production facility for film and television, near Queenstown.
Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop referred the project under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 on Tuesday, meaning it could now lodge substantive applications with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to be considered by expert panels.
In an announcement to the New Zealand Stock Exchange, Winton chief executive Chris Meehan said the $200m Ayrburn Screen Hub project would be great for jobs in Queenstown and economic growth in New Zealand.
"The project will increase New Zealand's ability to attract high-quality films from around the world, and also means that local film-makers will have the best-quality facilities available to them at one of the world's most unique and sought-after locations."
The hub would serve as an all-inclusive film studio that enabled users to work and stay on site throughout filming, production and post-production.
It would include studio buildings, workrooms, office spaces, dressing rooms, a screening room and meeting space, with 185-room accommodation for film workers, which could double as visitor accommodation when no films were in production, Mr Meehan said.
Film Otago Southland chairman Kyle Murdoch said having more studios in the region was a "really positive thing for the industry".
A lot of overseas producers wanted to work in Queenstown, Central Otago and Dunedin, but a lack of facilities meant production crews tended to head to Auckland or Wellington once filming was complete.
The hub would be "far superior to anything we've got in the region" and it would go "a long way" towards growing the industry and making it more sustainable year-round.
"It's not all about the actors and directors.
"A big film or TV series uses a lot of different skill sets and hires a lot of different people who occasionally work in film and TV in this region, but also have other jobs as well.
"So I think you'll probably find there'll be quite a massive flow-on effect, for sure."
The project is located at a roughly 26.25 hectare site between Arrowtown and Lake Hayes.
A decision notice said the project included works to improve the water quality of Lake Hayes through sediment control and riparian planting of an on-site stream flowing into the lake.
Mr Bishop was satisfied the project would have "significant regional or national benefits" in terms of the economic impact to Otago as well as other economic benefits nationally if it attracted new productions that would have otherwise not occurred in New Zealand, the decision stated.
It would also "address significant environmental issues by supporting water-quality enhancement of Waiwhakaata/Lake Hayes, which has regionally significant benefits due to the importance of this highly valued lake to the community, mana whenua, regional and district councils and visitors".
Mr Meehan estimated the hub could inject almost $280m into the local economy during its construction and support 640 full-time jobs across the wider Otago region.
The hub would underpin about 370 local jobs every year and have flow-on benefits for the wider community and labour market, he said.
tim.scott@odt.co.nz
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