Gold Coast Plans $130M Arts Hub With Baz Luhrmann

The Gold Coast is about to become a serious player in the global film and creative industries, and it's bringing Hollywood firepower to make it happen.

The City of Gold Coast launched an expression of interest process this week to redevelop its Miami Depot site into a sprawling arts precinct. The four-hectare space will house film production facilities, visual effects studios, residential areas, cafes, shops, and open-air public spaces.

The big draw? Award-winning Australian director Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin, both Oscar winners, have signed on as chief creative partners through their production company Bazmark. They'll help shape the vision for what Luhrmann calls "unprecedented in the world."

Mayor Tom Tate didn't hold back his enthusiasm. "We're going to be able to attract top end, A-class movie stars to come here," he said, adding that the precinct would put Gold Coast alongside London, Bollywood, and Hollywood as a major screen industry destination.

The project isn't just about attracting international talent. The precinct will equally serve Australian creatives, particularly young artists and aspiring filmmakers looking for their break.

Council expects the Miami Arts Depot to pump $130 million into the local economy annually while supporting 1,000 new jobs across screen, technology, gaming, and visual effects sectors. Luhrmann noted the state-of-the-art post-production studios would fill a gap currently missing from the Gold Coast's creative infrastructure.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond direct jobs and economic activity, the precinct represents a shift in how Australian cities compete for creative talent. By establishing dedicated spaces where film, tech, and gaming industries converge, Gold Coast is creating an ecosystem that could nurture the next generation of Australian storytellers and innovators.

Invest Gold Coast Chairman Will Hodgman said securing Luhrmann and Martin as anchor tenants demonstrates confidence in the city's cultural future. "It's a sign of the confidence that people have in the Gold Coast," he noted.

The expression of interest process closes July 31, with council seeking partners experienced in large-scale mixed-use development and creative industry projects. Shortlisted proponents will be selected before a final development partner is chosen mid-next year, with construction potentially beginning in 2028.

The transformation from depot to creative destination could position Gold Coast as a genuine alternative to traditional film industry hubs, keeping more Australian talent and production dollars at home.