News| Jan 17, 2020

Australia is experiencing unprecedented fires across a number of its states.

Ausfilm and its members are devastated by the tragic impact these fires have had on our communities, towns, wildlife and our fire services. We thank all the volunteers fighting the fires and the federal and state governments for their support to help revive towns affected. Our gratitude also to the local charities and public figures from both Australia and the world who have raised money for the wildlife services and all the communities affected by the bushfires.

The affected bushfire areas, which at their peak scorched over 18.6 million hectares (46 million acres; 186,000 square kilometres; 72,000 square miles) included the loss of homes, farms, produce, business, recreational areas and incurred a vast toll on the animal population.

Significantly, most of this area was regional and covering large areas of bushland and forest which have adversely impacted Australia wildlife and their natural habitat. The fires did not impact Australian capital cities and their infrastructure, which include the screen productions sector’s nationally located studios, post-production VFX and animation houses.

There are still fire affected areas, however Australia is an enormous landmass and there are many areas that remain safe, welcome to visitors and available as filming destinations.

None of Australia’s five studio complexes were impacted nor were our capital cities. Indeed, the areas used for backlots close to the major studios are also not impacted.

All international and domestic airports in Australia are operating as normal. We will update this page weekly.

We welcome our international film community with open arms and Australia will stand together to rebuild what has been lost.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

SCREEN CANBERRA
[email protected]

The ACT is currently affected by bushfires to the south of the city of Canberra with conditions deteriorating and likely to worsen over the next few days (dated 29th January). There is heavy smoke haze and visibility is low.  Please contact Screen Canberra for updates.

LOCATION IMPACT
Cities
Canberra City Not impacted, however, heavy smoke haze
Parliament House and Parliamentary Triangle Not impacted
Canberra southern suburbs Impacted, dangerous conditions loom
Regions
Canberra bushland and farmlands Not impacted
Canberra airport, light rail and other infrastructure Not impacted

NEW SOUTH WALES

SCREEN NSW
[email protected]

The recent rain in New South Wales has extinguished the fires in the state and reduced the overall fire risk to low.

The fires have occurred largely in wild forest country, like the Blue Mountains and Mount Kosciuszko National Park. The South Coast has also been severely impacted. It is too early to evaluate the overall impact on specific filming locations in NSW – please contact Screen NSW for more information.

LOCATION IMPACT
Studios
Fox Studios Australia Not impacted
Cities
Sydney City & Greater Sydney Not impacted
Regions
Blue Mountains Forests and railway line impacted – contact Screen NSW
Far North Coast/Northern Rivers (including Byron Bay)  Not impacted
Far West (including Broken Hill) Not Impacted
Southern Inland – Jindabyne/snowy mountains Forests impacted (ski resorts not affected) – contact Screen NSW.
South Coast Impacted – contact Screen NSW

NORTHERN TERRITORY

SCREEN TERRITORY
[email protected]

Updates to be advised. Please contact Screen Territory directly for updated information.

LOCATION IMPACT
Cities
Alice Springs Not impacted
Regions
MacDonnell Ranges Not impacted
Ayers Rock/Uluru Not impacted
Bunda Cliffs Not impacted
Litchfield National Park Not impacted
Limmen National Park Not impacted
Simpson Desert Not impacted

QUEENSLAND

SCREEN QUEENSLAND
[email protected]

LOCATION IMPACT
Studios
Village Roadshow StudiosNot impacted
Screen Queensland Studios Not impacted
Cities
Brisbane city Not impacted
Brisbane metro suburbs Not impacted
Greater Brisbane area Minimal impact – Moreton Island, North Stradbroke Island
Regions
Sunshine Coast Minimal Impact – Noosa North Shore, Cooroibah, Peregian Beach
Gold Coast Not impacted
Gold Coast Hinterland (Scenic Rim) Impacted – Lower Beechmont, Binna Burra, Sarabah, Lamington National Park
South East Queensland Impacted – Tarome, Moogerah, Rosevale (Scenic Rim)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FILM CORPORATION
[email protected]

LOCATION IMPACT
Studios
Adelaide Studios Not impacted
Cities
Adelaide city Not impacted
Adelaide suburbs Not impacted
Regions
Wine region Not impacted
Wine region – Barossa Valley Not impacted
Wine region – McLaren Vale Not impacted
Wine region – Clare Valley Not impacted
Fleurieu Peninsula (McLaren Vale, Port Elliot, Victor Harbor)Not impacted
Wine region – Adelaide Hills Partially impacted – speak to SAFC
Yorke PeninsulaNot impacted
Eyre PeninsulaMinimal Impacted (Port Lincoln – Rain event 31/1/2020) – speak to SAFC
Flinders RangesMinimal Impacted (North West Lake Torrens – Rain event 31/1/2020) – speak to SAFC
Coober Pedy Not impacted
Kangaroo Island Impacted – speak to SAFC
FLOOD /RAINS
Studios
Adelaide StudiosNot Impacted
Cities
Adelaide cityNot Impacted
Adelaide metro suburbsNot Impacted
Regions
Adelaide HillsNot Impacted
Barossa ValleyNot Impacted
Clare ValleyNot Impacted
Fleurieu Peninsula (McLaren Vale, Port Elliot, Victor Harbor)Not Impacted
Yorke PeninsulaNot Impacted
Eyre PeninsulaMinimal Impacted (Port Lincoln – Rain event 31/1/2020) – speak to SAFC
Kangaroo IslandNot Impacted
Flinders RangesMinimal Impacted (North West Lake Torrens – Rain event 31/1/2020) – speak to SAFC
Coober Pedy Not Impacted

TASMANIA

SCREEN TASMANIA
[email protected]

Most of Tasmania has, so far, escaped the worst of the fires of 2020.

LOCATION IMPACT
Cities
Hobart Not Impacted
Launceston Not Impacted
Regions
South-West World Heritage Area Impacted around Strathgordon
East Coast – Swansea Areas inland from Swansea impacted
Midlands Areas around Pelham and Elderslie impacted
Central Highlands Areas around Miena and Tods Corner – impacted, recovering
North-East Areas around Fingal and Rossarden impacted.

VICTORIA

FILM VICTORIA
[email protected]

LOCATION IMPACT
Studios
Dockland Studios Melbourne Not impacted
Cities  
Melbourne City Not impacted
Melbourne Inner & Metro Suburbs Not impacted
Geelong Not impacted
Ballarat Not impacted
Castlemaine Not impacted
Bendigo Not impacted
Daylesford Not impacted
Warburton Not impacted
Clunes Not impacted
Regions  
Murray (bushlands & desert) Not impacted
Grampians (mountains) Not impacted
Goldfields (period townships) Not impacted
Great Ocean Road (coastal) Not impacted
Macedon Ranges (forests, plains & low rolling hills) Not impacted
Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges (rolling hills & wine country) Not impacted
Mornington Peninsula (rolling hills & wine country) Not impacted
Phillip Island (coastal) Not impacted
High Country (mountains & snowfields*) Impacted
Gippsland (coastline, forests & snowfields*) Impacted

*Victoria’s snow season is June-Sept by which time these locations are anticipated to be open for filming.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

SCREENWEST
[email protected]

LOCATION IMPACT
Cities
Perth City Not impacted
Perth Suburbs Not impacted
Fremantle Not impacted
LancelinNot impacted
Broome Not impacted
Margaret River Not impacted
York Not impacted
KalgoorlieNot impacted
Regions
South West Region Not impacted
Great Southern Region Partially impacted (Stirling Ranges, Shire of Katanning) – speak to Screenwest
Goldfields – Esperance Region Partially impacted (Shire of Dundas, Northern Goldfields) – speak to Screenwest
Mid West Region Not impacted
Peel Region Not impacted
Wheatbelt Region Not impacted
Gascoyne Region Not impacted
Pilbara Region Not impacted
Kimberley Region Not impacted
Yanchep Impacted
Berkshire Valley Not impacted
Rottnest Island Not impacted
Swan Valley Not impacted
Pinnacles Not Impacted