Digital animation centre for Bunbury

BUNBURY will soon be home to a new centre for digital animation, which could link local creatives to national and international film and television projects.

The Vue Group and ISA Technologies, partners in the creation of the Australian Centre for Digital Innovation, are in the midst of fine-tuning the design and layout of their laboratory, to be located in the new City of Bunbury library.

Once operational, the ACDI will be capable of creating computer-generated effects for films, television shows and documentaries.

The South West Development Commission provided $200,000 in funding which the City of Bunbury used to secure the ACDI.

ISA Technologies managing director Sil La Puma said this project, which will support the City of Bunbury's vision of becoming a 'digital city', was a world first.

"This is the first known initiative of its kind in the world where essentially a creative company targeting film, television and documentaries has teamed with an [information and communication technology] company," Mr La Puma told WA Business News.

"Bunbury is one of, if not the fastest region for growth, it has a very high penetration of relevant post-grads...and from our perspective, given the digital city vision was supported by the council, the mayor, the South West Development Commission, it seemed a likely spot for ACDI.

"There is great opportunity for the local community and the region to have access to these world class projects, world class technologies and world class experts."

Vue Group managing director Alan Lindsay said the vision was to create a digital content studio which could engage in local, Australian and global projects seamlessly by teaming imagination and technology to form a creative and technical hothouse with a culture of innovation.

"The South West Development Commission allowed us to realise our vision in a region that offers synergies with education, business and community."