Big movie moves in

Although the East Kimberley's unseasonable rain is creating headaches, preparations for the filming of the large budget film 'Australia' is steaming ahead.

Location manager Phillip Roope has been busy in Kununurra pulling together all the strings for the filming of the movie, which stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman and is directed by Baz Luhrmann.

A set has already been constructed on Carlton Hill Station, north of Kununurra, to represent the fictitious 'Faraway Downs' featured in the movie.

Phillip has been flat out setting up his team in Kununurra with one team of 25 constructing the set and surrounding it with trees and gardens.

The number of people on the ground in Kununurra will increase to about 50 over the next couple of weeks, rising to about 300 when the full crew arrives.

Operations will be run from the old Water Corporation building in Kununurra and the old First National office.

Numerous private houses, sheds and mobile accommodation have been rented, as well as many rooms at the Kimberley Grande (formerly Argyle Kimberley Resort).

The major influx is scheduled for July 11 with filming scheduled to start on July 13.

However, similar weather problems in Bowen may interfere with plans.

Phillip was unsure of how much would be spent in Kununurra, but said that in Darwin they had spent about $4 million during two weeks of shooting.

Filming in Kununurra is expected to take from five to six weeks.

Director Baz Luhrmann was inspired to shoot the epic in the East Kimberley after spending some time on the Karunjie track near El Questro.

Phillip is no newcomer to the film business having worked on more than 30 feature films, including such movies as Mad Max 3 and Superman Returns.

Some of 'Australia' was filmed in Bowen, some in Darwin, a lot will be filmed in the Kimberley and the remaining 'inside' filming will take place at Fox Studios in Sydney.

For more details about the movie, visit www.themovieaustralia.com