Yeah it went to VCAT and the heritage overlay was backed by VCAT last i read. They have to demolish the extension ten added i think the 80s of the admin block
1.5 Orchards and production studio
Forest Ridge is a substantial and prominent site located in a strategically
significant location.
Formerly part of an orchard landscape, the land was developed in the
1960’s and used for studio and outdoor television / film production until
approximately 15 years ago.
Drama production is still undertaken on the site by Freemantle Media
Australia but the premises are no longer used as television studios or for
the transmission of television shows as was the case when Channel 0 (10)
occupied the site.
The site has been the subject of Amendment C157 to the
Whitehorse
Planning Scheme. A heritage overlay has been introduced that affects part
of the site, relating to most of the existing Studio buildings (Figure 5).
This Development Plan excludes the existing studio buildings and
associated infrastructure, with the exception that it provides for the
removal of a more recent addition to the Administration Building and
reinstating the original façade and courtyard. A further Development Plan
will address the studio part of the site in consultation with Council.
The Development Plan has also been prepared having regard to the views
to the studios along the main access from Hawthorn Road, to connect
these buildings to the broader surrounds.
The provision of the roadway directly in front of the studio buildings will
provide a view corridor of a minimum width of 19 metres, allowing views to
the building. Bazem’s heritage consultants, have stated:
This level of visibility and access is sufficient to allow the building to
remain a key element within the public realm readily discernible from
vantage points in adjacent sections of Hawthorn Road
I appreciate your optimism.
NEP will no doubt sell the site very quickly once Neighbours wraps up. As the cost of keeping an ageing building with no production will be a liability they won’t want to wear for very long.
Despite the ruling from VCAT, and same as how the ABC found a way to dispose of the Gordon St studios site despite the land being bequeathed to the ABC from the Ripponlea estate on the condition it never be sold, am sure land developers will find a way to eventually demolish Nunwading (Forest Hill) TV studios, it’s days are numbered sadly.
So they only use the backlot for Neighbours? Where do they film interiors if not the old ATV studios? (Or is that just worded to mean a TV station no longer uses it directly)
Was Rove the last non-Neighbours production to use the site?
I’ve mentioned this before that given the size of the Pyrmont Studio it must be adjacent to The Project set, but interesting to see in video. Thanks for sharing!
I was going to ask the same thing, don’t ever think I’ve seen this space used? Looks good.
Wow, didn’t realise just how big that space is.
Now makes sense how they fit the old 10 News First set in that space while the new one was constructed in 2019.
