[press release from PFTC]
Principal photography commences today in Far North Queensland on the Australian television drama Sea Patrol 3 – Red Gold.
Arts Minister Rod Welford welcomed the return of veteran producers Di and Hal McElroy and an all-star cast, led by Lisa McCune and Ian Stenlake, to the state.
"Our Government, through the Pacific Film and Television Commission (PFTC), is thrilled to once again partner with McElroy All Media on this prominent and successful television drama series," Mr Welford said.
"A regular viewing audience of 1.5 million Australians can’t be wrong, and since the program’s debut in 2007, the rights have been licensed to over 200 channels across Canada and Europe.
"The PFTC is providing development, production and investment funding for Red Gold, just as it did for Sea Patrol 1 and Sea Patrol 2 – The Coup, in order to stimulate our local screen industry and to deliver real economic benefits to the state.
"Over the next six weeks the production will shoot 13 episodes for Series 3 on location at Mission Beach in Far North Queensland and at the Warner Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.
"Sea Patrol 3 – Red Gold is likely to generate close to $12 million in Queensland production expenditure and create around 350 jobs.
"The series represents a significant component of the state’s total production expenditure for 2008/09, which now stands at $46.3 million."
The Sea Patrol series is set onboard a fictional Royal Australian Navy Armidale class patrol boat, the HMAS Hammersley.
Previous series’ storylines have dealt with contemporary issues faced by the Navy, including illegal fishing, drug and reptile smuggling, asylum seekers and immigration. Series 3 is centred on the fictitious Red Reef, where oil and gas rigs lie adjacent to exotic coral formations.
"Executive producers Di and Hal McElroy, the team behind long-running Australian television drama series’ Blue Heelers and Water Rats, are incredibly experienced and I hope the program has the longevity and success of the McElroy’s previous work," Mr Welford said.
The third series of Sea Patrol will screen on the Nine Network in 2009.
Principal photography will also commence shortly in Queensland on a third series of Jonathon M.Shiff’s hit children’s television series H2O: Just Add Water.