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Screen Australia to sell Lindfield Studios

Former Film Australia site in Sydney's north set to be sold for housing development.

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Screen Australia is selling the former Film Australia studio and office facilities, located in Lindfield on Sydney’s upper north shore.

Once home to All Saints, the site was established as a purpose-built film and television facility in the 1960s, a base for Film Australia, as well as many independent production and film service companies, for over 30 years.  It was home to documentaries, independent films and  soundtrack studio designs of iconic films such as Crocodile Dundee, Mad Max 2, Pharlap, A Fortunate Life and The Man From Snowy River II.

The site consists of offices, production areas, studio and theatrettes including the Roxy Theatre all located within a bushland setting.

But it has not been recognised a heritage item and the site is set to be sold for housing.

Colliers International will conduct a six-week international marketing campaign to attract prospective buyers through open tender with settlement expected around September/October.

Film Australia emerged in 1973 from the Commonwealth Film Unit, which in turn evolved from the Australian National Film Board, established in about 1940 to produce documentary films. One of Film Australia’s earliest successes was A Steam Train Passes (1974) and more recently Who Killed Dr Bogle and Mrs Chandler? (2006). The Film Australia Collection, held at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), is home to over 5,000 titles reflecting over a century of Australian history.

Subsequent to the merger of Film Australia, the Australian Film Commission and the Film Finance Corporation into the existing Screen Australia, the studio facilities were no longer required. Screen Australia no longer commissions content but now acts to facilitate independent production across a broad range of genres. Under Ku-ring-gai Council’s Local Environment Plan, the site has a zoning that allows for a mix of low/medium density residential development.

Screen Australia recognises the excellent work of Jorge Schneider, Margaret Slarke and Josie Cabral, the remaining staff at Lindfield.

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One Response

  1. Vale, old Film Australia site Lindfield. Have spent much time out there working on different film and TV projects. Always loved the throwback 70s carpet and furniture, and bush setting. Remember Jorge well too.

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