Massive sound stage to break ground

By Meg Hill

The construction of Docklands Studios’ $46 million sixth sound stage is preparing to break ground, with the closure of a section of the Moonee Ponds Creek trail on November 23 to enable the work.

The 3700sqm stage – which will be one of the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – was announced in October 2019 by the state government as a major investment into the state’s creative industries.

A further announcement was made in November this year, as part of the state government’s budget release, that an additional $1.3 million would be allocated to create a trade and technical hub close to the studios for screen crews and support businesses.

Docklands Studios CEO Rod Allan said the project was a milestone for the state.

“The start of construction on Stage 6 in the near future will be a milestone day for Victoria’s screen industry, allowing Docklands Studios to attract bigger productions than ever before while giving more space to local film and TV projects,” Mr Allan said.

“Vastly expanded studio capacity will bring benefits to the whole economy including many local businesses such as accommodation, hospitality, transport and equipment suppliers.”

The studios were fully booked in November with production of Netflix and NBC thriller Clickbait.

Work on the new stage is expected to be complete by late 2021. The five existing sound stages will remain operational while the project is under construction.

While the section of Moonee Ponds Creek Trail is closed, trail users will be diverted to Pearl River Rd via the path between Docklands Studios Melbourne and the O’Brien Icehouse. The trail will also be diverted near the Ron Barassi Senior Park.

The diversion route was determined in consultation with the Bicycle Network, the City of Melbourne and the state government.