One of the world's leading visual effects (VFX) companies will set up shop in Sydney's Tech Central, thanks to the latest round of the NSW Government's $250 million Jobs Plus Program.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said DNEG, which has worked on the likes of Hollywood blockbusters Dune, Tenet, BladeRunner 2049, Interstellar, Inception, and the James Bond, Harry Potter and Fast and Furious franchises, will create more than 470 highly skilled jobs and 550 indirect jobs by adding Sydney as its first Australian base.
"From Hollywood visual effects to Medtech and food processing, this round of the Jobs Plus Program will support a diverse mix of companies, from world-leaders to expanding players, across a range of industries," Mr Perrottet said.
"DNEG has built an incredible reputation and I'm delighted to welcome the company to Sydney, as we support new job opportunities and, in this case, continue our strong support for NSW's thriving creative industries."
As part of the move to Sydney, DNEG will next lead the visual effects work for George Miller's highly anticipated Mad Max prequel Furiosa, which is being produced in Australia by Miller and Oscar®-nominated producer Doug Mitchell and stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke. The film is a Warner Bros. Pictures production in association with Village Roadshow Pictures (US) and is expected to premiere in 2024.
The company will set up within Sydney's Tech Central district and establish a fully functioning content services studio focusing on visual effects, animation, virtual production and gaming.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said the latest Jobs Plus round will create more than 2,500 jobs across a range of industries, including manufacturing, food and beverage, digital technology and MedTech.
"The support via infrastructure rebates and payroll tax relief will help DNEG to develop, foster and grow our pipeline of skilled workers in the digital effects industry by creating new opportunities and training pathways," Mr Henskens said.
"Tech Central is Australia's innovation engine and it's great to see another world-leading company join the growing list of companies who already call the district home."
DNEG CEO and Chairman Namit Malhotra said the company was excited to set up in NSW.
"Since our first interaction with the NSW Government, the support that has been offered through the Jobs Plus Program, and the warm welcome that has been extended, has made it an easy decision to choose Sydney as home to DNEG's first VFX and animation studio in Australia," Mr Malhotra said.
"We are excited to bring our filmmaker-focused approach to a fourth continent and to build a substantial and sustainable presence in Sydney, allowing us to work more closely with Australia's wide pool of talented and experienced creative professionals."
Jobs Plus support is provided through a range of initiatives including payroll tax relief, support for infrastructure and subsidised training programs, along with the provision of free or subsidised government spaces and accommodation.
Other new recipients of Jobs Plus Program support are:
- AJQ Technology Consulting: The Sydney CBD-based company which specialises in IT consulting will expand its business to grow its technical capabilities within NSW. The support will deliver 42 direct and 4 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
- Biointelect: The Sydney CBD-based strategic life science consultancy will expand its service offering to provide end-to-end commercialisation services and bring new technologies to market. The support will deliver 34 direct and 20 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
- Easy Signs: The Smeaton Grange-based company which manufactures printed signage will acquire new specialist printing equipment. The support will deliver 33 direct and 17 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
- Inventia: The Alexandria-based biotech company, a global leader in 3D cell culture and the technology to produce it, will move to new state-of-the-art manufacturing and laboratory facilities in Alexandria, to keep pace with its expanding market world-wide. The support will deliver 76 direct and 67 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
- Lowa Lighting: The Lidcombe-based company which manufactures electric lighting fixtures will build a new Industry 4.0 level manufacturing facility, R&D laboratory, expanded warehousing and company headquarters in Arndell Park. The support will deliver 133 direct and 141 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
- Memjet: The North Ryde-based company which specialises in colour printing technologies, and emerging sensor technology products for the Defence and biotech industries, will establish a manufacturing plant in Macquarie Park. The support will deliver 34 direct and 75 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
- Meyer Food Co: The Girraween-based company, the largest dedicated sous vide cooked food manufacturer in Australia, will acquire additional food processing equipment to increase production. The support will deliver 30 direct and 142 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
- Mountain Culture: The Katoomba-based craft brewery will construct a new brewhouse and acquire new equipment. The support will deliver 39 direct and 149 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
- P&H Fine Foods: The Kurnell-based premium food manufacturer has relocated to larger new facilities within Kurnell and is expanding operations by acquiring new equipment and upgrading its power supply. The support will deliver 32 direct and 67 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
- Reinforced Concrete Pipes Australia (RCPA): The Central Coast-based company will build a new manufacturing plant in Thornton. The support will deliver 33 direct and 164 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
- Sparro: The Haymarket-based digital marketing company will hire and train new staff in digital marketing, data analytics and creative production. The support will deliver 90 direct and 58 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.
