Actor Russell Crowe announces $400 million plan for film studio complex in Coffs Harbour

June 16, 2021

Nigel Benton

Entertainment / Venues /

Plans for a major movie production studio in Coffs Harbour - to be financed by a group including Oscar winning actor and local resident Russell Crowe - have been announced today.

With the Coronavirus pandemic seeing Australia attract an increasing number of international film productions, the $400 million development will see the construction of a studio with four sound studios, advanced virtual studios, an on-campus screen training facility and accommodation that will allow cast and crew to stay on site.

Crowe, along with partners including Pacific Bay resort owner Peter Montgomery and film producer Keith Rodger, are the founders of Pacific Bay Resort Studio and Village, which is tipped to cost $438,560,000 to build and be operational within two years.

The purpose-built studio, which sits a short drive from Crowe’s Nana Glen property, will be built on the existing Pacific Bay Resort site adjacent to Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana attraction. It will integrate production and post-production facilities with accommodation and amenities, taking over the 40-hectare luxury resort.

Announcing the building of the movie studio, Crowe told The Daily Telegraph “the importance of (this project is) being able to move quickly and put infrastructure in place, strike while the iron is hot as they say

“Giving every single local producer the edge on their international competitors is what we need to do.

“If we have an incentive system that brings money into the country and allows productions to be made here, it brings employment.

“We have to make sure that we give our producers that edge so if some other place is offering a number, then our number should be one percentage higher.

“That is the sort of far reaching decision that keeps the situation like we find ourselves in at the moment rolling.”

While the NSW Government is not investing in to the studio, it has committed to establishing a Regional Job Precinct in the Coffs Harbour area.

Joining a growing list of new Australian studios - a response to both the global content boom, and the country’s success through the pandemic - the Crowe-backed studio will also take the pressure off existing facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and on the Gold Coast, which - due in large part to Australia’s success in curbing Covid - have been booked solid for many months.

NSW government officials including Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet were at the announcement of the project today along with Jack Thompson, who worked with Crowe when he was launching his career.

Images show artist impressions of the new studio in Coffs Harbour.

About the author

Nigel Benton

Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management

Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.

With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.

Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.

In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.

He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).

In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.

As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.

Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.

His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.

His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.

Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.