Frequently asked questions

The Gold Coast has a long and proud tradition of film and television production. The city is an enviable filming location for any production company, with a diverse range of easily accessible locations, world-class studios, and highly-skilled production crews experienced in both film and television. Today the screen and gaming production sector on the Gold Coast contributes more than $389 million value added to the local economy and is forecasted to grow 11% to 2028.

However, much of the development and post-production work including digital effects is undertaken interstate or overseas. Miami Arts Depot will fill this gap to ensure the entire creative lifecycle can happen right here on the Gold Coast.

Miami Arts Depot will provide commercial space for other screen, digital arts, tech and creative businesses. It will be a hub that attracts local and international players.

Baz Luhrmann’s company, Bazmark, has already established its global headquarters at the former Miami Depot site and has expressed interest in leasing space as an anchor tenant within the new precinct.

Following a review of its city assets, the City of Gold Coast identified the Miami Depot site as surplus to operational needs. Analysis and community feedback confirmed it as an ideal location for a creative industries precinct.

The site offers a unique opportunity to:

• Leverage private sector investment to revitalise the area
• Deliver much-needed new housing alongside jobs and industry growth
• Create a vibrant destination with public spaces, restaurants and retail that enhances Miami’s eclectic village character.

Film studios are just one part of the film making process. To bring a film to life requires development, post-production, visual effects and other supporting industries. Miami will offer a setting for these creative processes.

The Miami Arts Depot will complement rather than compete with the Gold Coast’s film studios and ensure the Gold Coast continues to support this important part of the screen business.

The final cost will be shaped by the market and delivery model. We are seeking private investment via engagement of a delivery partner to design and deliver the broader precinct that provides benefits to all parties and legacy community infrastructure.

The Miami Arts Depot will be delivered through a development agreement with funding coming primarily from the private sector.

A development agreement is a broad term to describe a contract between parties involved in the development of a project. In this case, the development agreement will govern how the City of Gold Coast and the delivery partner will collaborate on the Miami Arts Depot, outlining the obligations of both parties to deliver the project that meets the vision of the City and the partner. Development agreements leverage private expertise, innovation and capital while sharing risk and public benefits.

The Miami Arts Depot is expected to yield a host of benefits for the Gold Coast including:

• Hundreds of new jobs across the screen, technology and creative industries.
• Up to $80 million a year into the local economy
• Attract new screen industry investment and productions
• Create higher-value skilled employment in post-production, visual effects, and related fields
• Strengthen the capacity of local companies across the full film and television production lifecycle
• Deliver diverse housing options on the doorstep of the Gold Coast Light Rail
• Provide new community facilities and public spaces for locals and visitors alike

Miami Depot is owned by the Council of the City of Gold Coast. 

Invest Gold Coast is preparing to take the proposal into a formal market transaction process to seek delivery partners from late 2025.

The preferred proponent will be responsible for securing planning approval to deliver the Miami Arts Depot. The City of Gold Coast will assist in facilitating an appropriate planning process. Details will be confirmed once the market process has provided more details on the intended development.

There will need to be a change in the current planning settings for the site, including a subdivision from the broader Pizzey Park lot. The project will determine the most appropriate pathway amendment to facilitate this through consultation with relevant state and local authorities and elected representatives. The development aims to be sympathetic to its surrounds while achieving the vision of this mixed-use precinct.

In February 2025, the City of Gold Coast reached out to the community regarding the repurposing Miami Depot as a mixed-use urban renewal project including a creative industries precinct. The proposal received overwhelming support from the community with 87% support for rejuvenation of the site and 76% for a creative industries precinct concept.

Yes. Community input into this process is vital. Gold Coasters will be invited to provide further feedback as the plan for Miami takes shape. 

Progressive design details will be released once a delivery partner is secured via the transaction process.

The market transaction process will canvas a range of developers with global experience delivering large mixed-use precincts. Once the delivery partner is identified, their experience in similar projects will be leveraged to ensure the precinct delivers on the vision in a financially feasible model. This approach is ‘market-led’, meaning the delivery partner will propose a conceptual mix of commercial, residential and public spaces that is then collaboratively progressed through design and financial modelling with project stakeholders before agreement is reached on the final outcome.

Timelines will depend on the market response and approvals, but major construction is expected to be staged over several years once commenced.

The site is approximately 40,000 square metres. 

The vision for the urban renewal project includes:

• Commercial space geared for creative industries
• A diverse range of residential offerings
• Public realm
• Retail
• Food and beverage 

Beyond jobs and housing, residents will enjoy new public spaces, dining, community facilities, and cultural events that add vibrancy to Miami’s village character.

The site’s location near the Gold Coast Light Rail makes it highly accessible by public transport. Planning will also consider parking, pedestrian-friendly design, and cycling connections to reduce congestion and support sustainable movement.

City of Gold Coast has been engaging with affected clubs and community organisations to manage impacts. The vision for Miami Arts Depot will enhance, not reduce, community activity.

Design guidelines will ensure the precinct reflects Miami’s eclectic, coastal village identity, balancing modern development with community scale and character.

This pocket of low-impact industry zoned businesses has been in a period of transition for several years, with non-industrial uses commencing operation such as micro-breweries and the popular Miami Marketta. These uses epitomise the cool urban fabric of Miami. The creative industries precinct will only further enhance this character and provide additional employment opportunities and economic benefits.

The project will provide a boost in housing options well located close to jobs, schools, public transport, parks, sporting clubs, and the beach. The City will work with the successful proponent to ensure the project design is carefully considered and sympathetic to nearby sensitive land uses.

The Miami Creative Industries Precinct concept is informed by the Nobby Beach and Miami North Station Neighbourhood Framework vision for the area. It will celebrate Miami’s village character.

Yes. Miami Arts Depot will provide space for local creative, tech, and screen businesses to grow and collaborate.

Sustainability will be a key design principle. Green building standards, energy-efficient design and integrated public realm spaces will help deliver an environmentally responsible precinct.

Through the development agreement, the City will establish clear requirements for job creation, housing diversity and public amenity to ensure the vision is delivered through the private investment.

Yes. Partnerships with education providers are expected to support training pathways, internships and career opportunities in creative industries and will be further explored through the development process.