With the Mad Max production bandwagon in southern NSW, the host town Hay has received a much-needed economic boost.
Key points:
- The filming of Mad Max: Furiosa has brought a big economic boost to Hay
- Hundreds of film crew members have stayed in town and visited local shops
- The town is still recovering from downturns connected to COVID-19 and drought
Hundreds of film crew members have descended on the western Riverina town to film Mad Max: Furiosa.
Business owners are reporting an uptick in customers and hotels have been fully booked since March.
Hotel manager Amiel Rabbelier said the influx of people into town had been great for business, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
"You'll notice the cafes and restaurants, they're all getting [a] hit," he said.
"Especially on the weekends when a lot of the people that are here working on this film are off and hang around town spending money."
Mr Rabbelier said there was a lot of work on offer as businesses tried to cater to the visitors.
"People are hiring everywhere, we can't get enough staff here," he said.
A return to regional NSW
The last film in the Mad Max series, Fury Road, was due to be filmed in the state's far west. But, at the time, Broken Hill was too green and production shifted to Namibia, in southern Africa.
Film production has since returned to regional NSW and is set to move to Silverton, near Broken Hill, next.
Details surrounding Furiosa, which is being directed by George Miller, are shrouded in secrecy and local participants have signed non-disclosure agreements.
It is understood the filming in Hay has been mostly for stunt work and the film's main actors, such as Chris Hemsworth, are not expected to visit the town.
In the past, Mad Max films have been action-packed features complete with explosions and daring stunts.
While technology has come a long way since the original 1979 film starring Mel Gibson, on-location filming is still needed.
Cafe manager Megan Griffiths, who has lived in Hay her entire life, said it was the busiest the town had ever been.
She said her cafe sold more than 220 coffees in a single day.
"Mornings have got a lot busier than normal. They tend to head out a bit earlier than we would normally start getting busy," Ms Griffiths said.
Perfect timing
Hay Shire Council Mayor Carol Oataway said the agricultural town of about 2,500 people was recovering from more than just a COVID-19 downturn.
"We've just come out of a very long drought and confidence was at an all-time low," Ms Oataway said.
"We had businesses shutting their doors in the main street, we had a declining population, school enrolments were declining.
"It's nice to feel that we're coming out of that and we've got some confidence happening in the town."
Loving the attention
Hay residents have also enjoyed the 15 minutes of fame filming has brought to the town.
Christa Sheaffe said the town felt "alive again".
"Unfortunately with COVID it was very quiet. I think people were nervous to get out and about but I feel like there's a real buzz about town again," she said.
When asked if he would liken Hay to Hollywood, Mr Rabbelier said it was more like "Haywood".
"It's definitely got that feel. It's a big thing to be a part of so I think everyone is excited in a way," he said.