SBS is set to have a new home in Western Sydney after the federal government announced funding to expand the multicultural broadcaster's production facilities.
The government will provide an upfront investment of $5.9 million to enable SBS to start work on finding a site to expand its news and current affairs, multilingual audio services and screen production.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the new production hub would feature a TV studio able to host live audiences, radio and podcasting booths, collaboration spaces for talent incubation, and a workspace to support production output.
Once established, it would enable SBS to deliver approximately 360 hours per year of new first-run Australian screen content and 1,440 hours per year of original audio and podcast content — including multilingual content.
Rowland said the move would create opportunities for local, skilled production jobs in an area where 40 per cent of the population are born overseas.
An initial feasibility study focused on a full relocation of SBS from its headquarters in Artarmon, in Sydney’s north, but the government opted not to pursue it due to the significant cost.
'A fantastic vote of confidence'
SBS managing director James Taylor said the funding announcement was "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.
Rowland thanked the SBS board and management "for their initiative in proposing this exciting project" and said she "look[s] forward to working with them to bring it to fruition".
"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," she said.
"SBS connects with multilingual, multicultural and First Nations communities, including in Western Sydney, and is vital to bringing diverse voices to Australian audiences."
SBS managing director James Taylor has said that the proposed new production hub "will boost our overall production capability and embed SBS in the Western Sydney community, where 2.7 million Australians live, including many from multicultural and First Nations backgrounds". Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
"When SBS makes content with communities, especially those who are under-represented in the Australian media, those communities feel more included in society," he said.
"The SBS 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."
Steps towards the west
Scoping work for the Western Sydney project will commence shortly and include engaging with local and industry stakeholders to identify an appropriate site and a commercial expression of interest process in which parties such as local councils will have the opportunity to present options, Taylor said.
"There will be a range of factors considered, including proximity to services and transport, and I will share more as we develop the details," he said.
"This is very early days, and the first step is to complete the work required to identify the full costs involved for establishing the production hub and the additional content. We expect to kick off the project early in the new year and be out in market looking for a site in the first half of 2025.
"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."
