In a boost for NSW’s animation and special effects industry, the NSW Government has committed to supporting the expansion of local production house Flying Bark Productions to help create 150 new full time jobs at its Sydney-based facilities.
As part of the NSW Government’s Jobs Plus Program, the latest support for the company behind Indie-Australian film 100% Wolf and the animation studio responsible for Nickelodeon’s Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Marvel’s What If…? series will also support another 63 indirect jobs by June 2024.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said the Jobs Plus Program forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, with the PDV industry well placed to contribute to the state’s economic recovery.
“PDV is thriving in NSW and late last year we expanded our sector rebate to include the digital games industry to drive even more opportunities for companies to locate in the state,” Mr Ayres said. “Investing in the expansion of leading production companies, such as Flying Bark, through Jobs Plus supports our home-grown talent pool and will ensure the NSW industry maintains its competitive edge in drawing international business opportunities that rely on transferable digital skills.”
The Jobs Plus payroll tax relief, training and infrastructure rebate support has assisted the company’s multi-million dollar expansion of its high-tech Alexandria facility, adding a new floor to increase capacity and support extensive training for new recruits.
Flying Bark Productions CEO Barbara Stephen said the support was a welcome addition to the NSW Government’s 10 per cent rebate of qualifying expenditure on PDV work.
“The NSW Government has been instrumental in supporting the expansion of our industry, with the competitive PDV rebate a contributing factor in the exponential growth of our company over the past few years, along with the unprecedented demand for premium animation.
“This demand and COVID-19 has caused our local talent pool to be stretched, so the Jobs Plus Program could not have come at a better time as we commit to a further 150 full-time jobs over the next three years, with a focus on entry-level positions.”
The Jobs Plus Program, delivered through Investment NSW, provides eligible companies with support, including payroll tax relief, streamlined planning approval and subsidised training programs, along with the provision of free or subsidised government spaces and accommodation.