Despite widespread local belief that authorities make substantial profits from ‘renting’ public spaces, government regulations strictly limit the fees councils can charge film productions, a reality brought into focus by recent disruptions at Avalon Beach.
The partial closure of the beach in April for filming ignited heated community discussions, revealing a divide over the balance between public access and economic benefits.
The Avalon Beach Incident
On Wednesday, 23 April 2025, the northern end of Avalon Beach was partially closed to accommodate filming for ‘Place to Be’, an indie drama by Hungarian filmmaker Kornél Mundruczó. Local residents attempting to access sections of the beach or the north Avalon car park were reportedly turned away by security personnel employed by the production crew.
This restriction angered some locals, who voiced accusations of foreign movie producers “abusing Aussie generosity” and concerns that Council was making “huge money” from public spaces.
Community Reaction Divided
The incident sparked strong reactions both locally and online. Some residents expressed deep frustration, asserting that the beaches belonged to the community and criticising the inconvenience, including reports of film trucks occupying parking spaces near a Montessori school, which some viewed as posing a safety risk for children.
Conversely, other community members dismissed the complaints as overreactions, suggesting that a partial closure for just one day was a minor inconvenience and that those upset were acting like “spoilt rich overprivileged brats.” Many welcomed the film crews, highlighting the jobs created within the performing arts sector and the overall contribution to the local economy.
Council’s Stance on Filming Fees
Northern Beaches Council has clarified that it cannot use film productions as a major source of revenue. Council reported earning approximately $230,000 from about 400 photography and filming applications in the 2023/2024 financial year, which excludes charges for parking or traffic management.
Under NSW’s Local Government Filming Protocol, the act of filming itself does not attract a fee; instead, councils can only recover specific costs such as application processing or traffic management plan assessments, typically ranging from $100 to $300. Council also stated that exclusive use of public venues is rare, granted only under strict conditions with extensive notification.
For the ‘Place to Be’ production, Council confirmed that while screens and security were approved for the northern section of the beach due to the sensitive nature of filming, the rest of Avalon Beach remained accessible, and pedestrian access paths from the car park were maintained. Residents and businesses in the vicinity were notified about the temporary restrictions.
State Push for Film Production
The NSW government actively promotes increasing film production across the state. Regulations include a presumption that councils will grant rather than reject film project approvals, with rejection only permitted under “exceptional circumstances.” NSW Arts Minister John Graham last year indicated a desire to cut red tape to make NSW more appealing to producers, aiming to streamline logistics, improve traffic management, and ease road closure processes.
The protocol stipulates that councils cannot charge fees for the use of open space itself, and higher fees cannot be imposed for frequently filmed locations. However, if public land use extends beyond three days or significantly disrupts public access, film productions are expected to provide some form of compensation to Council.
Local Filming History and Benefits
The Northern Beaches area has a long history as a popular filming location, having hosted productions such as 1979’s ‘Tim’ starring Mel Gibson, Bryan Brown’s ‘Palm Beach’ in 2019, and more recently US productions ‘The Fall Guy’ and ‘Anyone But You’. The local soap opera ‘Home and Away’ has filmed at Palm Beach since 1988.
A notable past controversy involved a proposal in the late 1990s by producers of the US surf soap ‘Baywatch’ to film extensively at Avalon Beach, which was strongly opposed by residents and ultimately did not proceed. Council acknowledges that production companies filming in the area support the local economy, promote the region, and generate funds directed towards projects that benefit local residents. Council’s aim is to balance the impact of filming on residents with these wider community advantages.
Published Date 11-Jun-2025
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