In Chapters 2 and 3, the Committee highlighted the ABC's centralisation of drama facilities in Sydney. This related to the construction of a new drama sound stage at Gore Hill and the proposed $122 million development (known as the Ultimo B complex) adjacent to existing ABC headquarters in Ultimo, Sydney.
Concerns have also been highlighted with respect to the uncertain future of the ABC's Ripponlea complex. The Committee's Discussion Paper previously mentioned the lack of suitable drama facilities in Melbourne, including a purpose built sound stage which the industry considers essential to make the full range of quality drama productions.
The Committee notes that the ABC have indicated Melbourne will be the production base to more than 50 percent of ABC television drama over the next 12 months. The major project announced being a 160 episode drama serial, Something in the Air, which will be an ABC co-production to be filmed at the Ripponlea studios.
Given the ABC is currently without a sound stage in Sydney, having sold its Frenchs Forest studio, and in view of the sale of the majority of Gore Hill, and the proposed Ultimo B development, it is clear that the ABC does not have the facilities in Sydney to produce a drama series in the next 12 months. This situation will change after the construction on the new sound stage at Gore Hill and television production facilities at Ultimo.
As previously noted, the Committee has also taken evidence from ABC staff at Ripponlea that the current plans for digitisation do not include the addition of high definition digital television (HDDTV) facilities at Ripponlea. This was confirmed by the ABC's Head of Technology, Strategy & Development in a briefing with the Committee. The lack of HDDTV facilities at Ripponlea will further severely limit its use for future drama productions.
The Committee's Discussion Paper highlighted the potential for the Ripponlea complex to be expanded to include a sound stage. The Committee noted that there is some surplus Victorian Government land that may soon become available adjacent to the existing Ripponlea site (the old police and courthouse area). The Committee believes this land offers the possibility of a sound stage on the Ripponlea site, along with an upgrade of the existing studios to high definition digital standard.
Evidence from the film and television industry which believe the ABC's drama output is centralised in Sydney:-
Mr Mac Gudgeon from the Australian Writers' Guild noted:-
Mr Gudgeon - The right people go to the right cocktail parties up there (in Sydney) and things tend to happen. Although Melbourne has quite often produced more television, serials and serial television in a year than Sydney, it would be true to say the focus of most of the production has been in Sydney.111
The Producers and Directors Guild of Victoria also appeared before the Committee:-
Mr Schlusser - I observe that productions in Sydney, being closer to head office, get funded more generously than those elsewhere. This seems to be unfair and unwarranted.112
Cinemedia noted in its written submission:-
"Over the last 10 years, there has been a tendency for resources to concentrate on NSW projects or NSW locations."113
- FINDING
The Committee has grave concerns for the future of ABC television drama productions in Melbourne in view of the following evidence:-
- the ABC's plans to construct a new drama sound stage and television production centre in Sydney (but not in Melbourne);
- the ABC's firm resolve to commit itself to its Sydney expansion (Ultimo B compex development);
- the ABC's immediate rejection of the Committee's Discussion Paper proposals;
- the ABC's proposed scoping study on the future of Ripponlea has yet to be prepared; and
- the lack of high definition digital television facilities planned for Melbourne.
RECOMMENDATION 23
The Committee recommends that the ABC ensure its Melbourne television facilities include fully equipped HDDTV drama studio facilities and suitable drama sound stage to enable Melbourne to continue producing quality ABC drama productions in the future.
RECOMMENDATION 24
Given the importance of drama productions to the economic development of the State, the Committee recommends that the Victorian Government liaise with the ABC to facilitate the provision of appropriate land to accommodate the upgrade of ABC television facilities in Melbourne.
111 Minutes of Evidence, 9/11/98, p. 482
112 Minutes of Evidence, 9/11/98, p. 506
113 Cinemedia, Submission No. 67 to EDC, 9/11/98, p.4
