Tomorrow, councillors will decide what to do with the prime council-owned piece of real estate, which is part of a development in West Auckland where more than 3000 new homes are planned.
First up, the Auckland Development Committee is expected to ditch plans going back to the former Waitakere City Council to establish a marine industry precinct on the land to build superyachts.
The failure of the marine industry to come up with firm proposals has freed up the land for housing or a mix of film use and housing.
A report, going to the committee, contains the full housing package, recommended by Auckland Council Property Ltd (ACPL); and the film campus/housing option, recommended by Ateed.
The report said there was no inherently "right" or "wrong" option, but "considerable risk around uncertainty going forward".
ACPL, which is responsible for managing the land, said it has a masterplan for the block, involving high density housing and apartments over 14ha and 6ha for shops and commercial use.
Between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of the housing would be in the affordable category. Significant wastewater, stormwater and roading networks are already in place.
Ateed said the film studio campus would meet a gap in Auckland's studio infrastructure by providing larger, higher quality space than currently available.
Graham Dunster, an actors' agent and Film Auckland board member, said a new film studio at Hobsonville made a lot of sense.
It would boost the number of overseas films being shot in Auckland and make the industry more vibrant.
