Acting Arts Minister John Hatzistergos today announced the Iemma Government has cut red tape to make it easier for film-makers in NSW, through changes to planning laws.
Under changes to the Major Projects State Environmental Planning Policy which were gazetted recently, short-term filming on Crown Land will no longer require development consent.
Previously, the SEPP allowed filming without development consent on private land and at iconic sites such as the Sydney Opera House, but the requirements for Crown Land were unclear.
‘The Iemma Government is delivering on its commitment to cut red tape and ensure NSW remains open for business,’ Mr Hatzistergos said.
‘This includes supporting the film industry, which attracts jobs and investment to NSW and promotes our cultural diversity.
‘The film industry told us that the lack of clarity relating to filming on Crown Land was creating red tape and inconsistencies for film-makers, so we have taken steps to clarify the process.
‘We will continue working with the NSW Film and Television Office and industry groups to make NSW more film-friendly and help to showcase local talent to the world.’
Minister Hatzistergos said a thriving arts and cultural sector, including the film and television production industry, was vital to drive economic growth and innovation.
‘The recent State Budget allocated more than $9 million to the NSW Film and Television Office to support the local film industry with grants and other assistance,’ Mr Hatzistergos said.
Current or recent productions based in NSW include Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, which is based at Fox Studios and will be partly filmed in Sydney and the new ABC drama series East of Everything which was produced from Byron Bay.
The largest Bollywood production ever to come to Australia, Heyy Babyy, was filmed in Sydney earlier this year and will be launched in Sydney later this month.
[release from the Acting Minister for the Arts NSW]