MAYOR Karen Williams says movie making could help drive North Stradbroke’s post-sand mining economy as hundreds of film cast and crew visit the island.
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About 250 film makers have been on Straddie with about 250 truck loads of gear to film the Hollywood blockbuster Aquaman.
Cr Williams said there had been a substantial economic injection from the filming.
Film making was an example of a new industry for the island where sand mining was due to end in 2019.
“While the value of such exposure is as immense, the economic injection of hosting a film shoot involving more than 250 cast and crew is substantial through spending on everything from accommodation to ferry transport,” she said.
“We have to make sure that the economy on the island transitions to other industries so that Straddie isn’t left stranded.”
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In May, film crews took over Straddie’s Amity Point camp ground to shoot scenes for the $160 million production of Aquaman, featuring Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe and Nicole Kidman.
In the same month, scenes from the $12 million In Like Flynn production were filmed off Raby Bay.
Filming of an SBS-produced drama series Safe Harbour took place on Moreton Bay, north of Peel Island, in June.
Redlands was catapulted into film-making stardom when Johnny Depp and the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales crew filmed at the Redlands two years ago.
Unbroken is another major blockbuster movie that has been filmed locally.
Cr Williams said more than 250 cast and crew had stayed on North Stradbroke Island on the weekend.
More than 40 crew had been on the island for two weeks preparing for the filming at Point Lookout.
“The film also employed around 25 locals to do everything from provide cultural advice on the site, undertake security, perform lifeguard duties and drive just about every crane and forklift on the island.
“The production has also been working with the island’s traditional custodians, through Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, who provided cultural heritage monitoring before and during filming and undertook work at the site to install a temporary track onto the beach so that multi-million dollar filming equipment could be moved into place.”
Cr Williams said Quandamooka rangers helped prepare the site and supported the crew during filming.
She said they would also be involved in revegetation activities to help rehabilitate the site.
“I hope all those die-hard DC Comics fans make Straddie a place they just have to visit,” Cr Williams said.
