With training and support from Screenwest, ‘Film Friendly’ councils: the Shire of West Arthur and Shire of Shark Bay are now officially Screenwest certified ‘Film Friendly’ locations.

Launched in 2019, Screenwest’s Film Friendly program includes online resources for local councils, shires and government departments to better understand filming processes, enabling them to streamline their processes for smoother filming pathways across their regions.

Screenwest is excited to announce the Shire of West Arthur and Shire of Shark Bay have completed their certification steps, including appointing a Film Liaison Officer and attending workshops that provide an understanding of the requirements of film productions and how to support them. These include:

– Adopting a clear and streamlined permissions process.
– Including easy to find information for filmmakers on their website.
– Identifying potential filming locations within their area and creating a plan to source images.
– Compile skills registers, cultural contacts and regional service provider contacts so they can be easily updated and passed to filmmakers.

Meet the new certified Film Friendly Locations and their Film Liaison Officers below!

Shire of West Arthur

West Arthur is in the Southern Wheatbelt just 220km south of Perth which encompasses the small towns of Darkan, Duranillin and Arthur River. The countryside includes broadacre farmlands, jarrah forests, lots of sheep, historical buildings throughout, a large ski lake, and plenty more.

The Shire of West Arthur looks forward to welcoming filmmakers to the area, with its offerings of great rural vistas, quiet locations for filming, true farming spirit and friendly locals willing to help get films off the ground.

Shire of West Arthur Film Liaison Officer Kerryn Chia can be contacted through the Film Friendly page on the Shire of West Arthur website.

Shire of Shark Bay

Shark Bay is a World Heritage area located in the Gascoyne region of WA.  The main town, Denham, is located on the clear and pristine shores line of the protected Western Gulf.

The Shire of Shark Bay is located in the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia.  It is approximately 800 km from Perth and spans two stunning peninsulas on the western most point of Australia. The Shire covers a land area of 25,423 sq kms. The town of Denham is the main settlement within the Shire, located 800 km from Perth within Western Australia’s popular Coral Coast tourism region and the world famous Monkey Mia is only 27 kms away. Both are easily accessed by sealed roads.  Rugged and outback areas such as Steep Point, WA’s western most landmass, are only accessible by high clearance 4WD.

The Shark Bay World Heritage area is wholly within the Shire and encompasses 2.2 million hectares (land and sea areas).  The Shire of Shark Bay has a population of approximately 946 people (2016 census) growing to between 4,000 – 6,000 during the peak tourism season from April to October each year.

The shire is filled with awe-inspiring beauty, rugged landscapes, pristine waters and unique flora and fauna, coupled with modern facilities and friendly locals.  White sand, blue waters and red cliffs define Shark Bays coastline, while on land you can find long straight roads, beach cottages and heritage buildings. Despite its remoteness the tiny town of Denham is well serviced with cafes, restaurants, hotels, a supermarket, service station, school and tourism stores and accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Film Liaison Officer Deborah Wilkes can be contacted through the Film Friendly page of the Shire of Shark Bay website.

Want to learn more about filming in Film Friendly Western Australia?

Contact:
Gabrielle Cole
Production Attraction & Services Manager
+61 8 6169 2117
[email protected]