SBS to build western Sydney studio; HQ move too costly
SBS has received $5.9 million from the federal government to build production studios in Western Sydney, although it will remain headquartered in Artarmon, in Sydney’s North, after a planned move was canned.
The government announced the funding on Sunday, saying the new studio – which will feature a TV studio able to host live audiences, radio and podcasting booths, and production areas – “delivers on the government’s commitment to boost the region’s arts and culture infrastructure, to improve equity of access to and participation in the arts, and brings to life the SBS vision for expanding its studios to western Sydney”.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the studios will create local jobs for “highly skilled, qualified and culturally diverse workers”.
“As Australia’s dedicated multicultural and First Nations broadcaster, and one of our most trusted news brands, SBS plays a vital role in promoting social cohesion,” Rowland said.
“SBS connects with multilingual, multicultural and First Nations communities, including in Western Sydney, and is vital to bringing diverse voices to Australian audiences.
“The Albanese government is committed to growing and supporting SBS, and to ensuring its unique value benefits all Australians.”
Initial plans to move the entire SBS operation to Western Sydney were nixed by the government, after a feasibility studio deemed a complete move to be too expensive.
SBS managing director James Taylor called the funding decision “a great outcome for both SBS and western Sydney communities”, and a “fantastic vote of confidence by the minister and the government in the value of SBS, and the work we do in service of all Australians”.
“The board and I are delighted that the government has committed to supporting SBS to establish itself permanently in Western Sydney, which will enable us to bring even more distinctive stories to all Australians,” he said.
SBS managing director James Taylor
Taylor told SBS staffers over the weekend that the project will commence “early in the new year”, with the plan to be “out in market looking for a site in the first half of 2025″.
Taylor wrote in an all-staff email: “I anticipate that we will be in a position to present a completed business case to government in late 2025 and, following approval of the business case, construction of the facility would be ready to commence.”
Location-wise, Taylor said “there will be a range of factors considered, including proximity to services and transport”.
Not everyone is delighted with the downscaling of the move west.
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun told The Australian the announcement is “another example of the Albanese government not being able to make a decision”, saying that ruling out a full move to Western Sydney will simply make seats in the region “harder for him to hold”.
“The economics work and moving SBS is a cost saver for the government, based on the reports that we have done,” Mannoun said. Liverpool is one of four Western Sydney councils who had submitted to host the proposed headquarters.
“They think we are stupid out here and think they can break their promises to us. This will hurt them on election day.
“The ball is now in Peter Dutton’s court. If he wants to win Werriwa and other Western Sydney seats, this is an easy win but also shows his leadership and that he has a vision for our area – which Labor clearly don’t.”
SBS chair George Savvides said the board is “delighted at the opportunity to embed SBS within Western Sydney, and to keep growing SBS’ contribution to social cohesion through community access to trusted, impartial media and even greater opportunities for local communities to be part of our diverse storytelling”.
He noted: “When SBS makes content with communities, especially those who are under-represented in the Australian media, those communities feel more included in society.”
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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