HUNDREDS of local jobs will be created by construction of Western Australia’s new screen production facility, which commenced last week at the site on Marshall Road, near the Malaga Metronet station precinct.

The state government confirmed Home Fire will build the facility, with doors to open to host the first production in 2026.

The facility will support the government’s investment in the state’s creative industries to diversify the economy, enabling Western Australia to become a larger screen industry player, grow local productions and attract more major projects.

The state will invest $233.5 million to construct the facility, with approximately 600 local direct and indirect new jobs to be created during its construction.

The facility will include four purpose-built sound stages and other onsite screen production facilities such as production offices, an art department and wardrobe, workshops, a backlot, parking and set storage.

Once completed the facility will help WA attract more of the $2 billion spent annually on national and international productions in Australia.

A problem and opportunity statement for delivery and operation of a screen production facility was released in an open market process by the state government under the market-led proposals policy, with Home Fire selected as the preferred proponent.

Premier Roger Cook said WA is already seeing a return on the government’s production attraction incentive investment, with filming of major high-quality productions like The Twelve in York, The Surfer and We Bury the Dead creating new local jobs opportunities, enabling skill development and showing off our state.

“Backing WA’s film and television industry is a critical part of our plan to diversify our economy and set our state up for the long term.

“My government is committed to providing WA’s screen industry with a production facility, and the commencement of construction last week cements our important election commitment.”