Screen Australia has announced that it is selling the former Film Australia studio and office facilities, located in Lindfield on Sydney’s upper north shore. Following 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. It also should be noted that the site has recently rezoned for residential use and according to Ku-ring-gai Council’s Local Environment Plan, the site has a zoning that allows for a mix of low/medium density residential development.
A spokesperson for Screen Australia explained that the Eton Road property was a purpose-built film and television facility used by Film Australia, as well as many independent production and film service companies, for over 30 years. Many Australian filmmakers started or advanced their careers at the Lindfield site, resulting in thousands of films that provided audiences with a snapshot of life in Australia.
The Spokesperson went on to explain that 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.