Waitakere takes action on film studios

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Waitakere City Council is going ahead with an $880,000 plan to convert a former apple coolstore into a film studio.

Mayor Bob Harvey says the project will bring film work to the city, but some still believe it is too risky.

The council bought the Henderson property last October for $3.8 million and leases space to the film industry.

Mr Harvey said the upgrade would encourage more filming there and would mean more jobs.

The Henderson Valley Studios would fill the demand for commercial space, taking medium-sized film and television projects.

"The council's investment takes the facility into a new level of capacity and competitiveness in the Auckland region," he said.

"After the upgrade, there will be nothing to match it for size and facility in the top half of the North Island."

However, the move did not get wholehearted support during the annual plan debate.

Councillors Derek Battersby and Vanessa Neeson said yesterday the studio business plan was weak and left questions unanswered.

"I'm still not satisfied about the council getting into the high-risk area of film making," Mr Battersby said. "The industry goes where it gets the best deal, not because it's interested in New Zealand.

"We should not be risking ratepayers' funds on such a venture."

Mrs Neeson said the studios were taking money away from upgrading basic city services.

But councillor Brenda Brady said she supported the council loan for the upgrade based on the understanding the operation would be self-supporting.