More than two years after it was first unveiled with the backing of Russell Crowe and Jack Thompson, the long-gestating Pacific Bay Resort Studios and Village—dubbed “Aussiewood”—remains stuck in pre-production limbo.

This week, the New South Wales government pledged up to $5.5 million to help fund a 450-meter noise wall that would shield the proposed $650 million studio complex from the nearby Pacific Highway, a move touted as a key step toward development. But despite the funding announcement, those close to the project say meaningful construction remains years away.

“Looking at what’s required, it may be a year of work before it goes through the Department of Planning and comes out the other end,” said Brad Daymond, general manager of Coastal & Golf Resorts Group, which owns the Coffs Harbour-based site.

First announced in 2021 amid a global production boom, the ambitious project promised a full-service film and television precinct on Australia’s mid-north coast, complete with soundstages, post-production facilities, animation and e-sports capabilities, a film school, and on-site accommodations for cast and crew. At the time, the studio gained momentum thanks to the involvement of local legends Russell Crowe and Jack Thompson, positioning the development as a potential new production hub for New South Wales.

But momentum stalled when a section of the site was resumed for major highway upgrades, including a new interchange set for completion in 2027. The resulting proximity to the highway sparked concerns about sound bleed and privacy, leading developers to insist on a sound and amenity wall before proceeding.

“What we are operating needs to have some quietness and some amenity about it,” Daymond noted. “We can’t afford to have people looking in on top of the movies being made—because not all movies are made inside a studio.”

The proposed noise wall will sit on Transport for NSW land, elevated 6 to 12 meters above the studio site—making it a logistical and jurisdictional hurdle that has slowed progress for over two years.

“We may have lost two years in the process,” Daymond added, “but we’re very comfortable that we’re pushing forward now.”

NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison defended the pace of the government’s support, noting that funding commitments are typically made in response to approved developments—not speculative ones.

“When we build projects, we have to mitigate for issues that are there, but not necessarily for plans that are in the future,” Aitchison said. “We understand that this is a really important project for the economy of the Coffs Coast.”

While the noise wall commitment may remove a key barrier, there’s still no clear timeline on when construction of the studio itself will begin. The project remains subject to NSW Department of Planning approvals.

For now, Aussiewood exists more as a vision than a reality. But with a government grant finally secured and continued support from major industry figures, the curtain may one day rise on what could be one of Australia’s most ambitious regional studio ventures.

“We’re a long way down the track,” Daymond said, “but we are simply in the hands of NSW Planning.”