The showground was transformed into an amusement park last week as filming continued on the feature movie, Tomorrow: When the War Began.

The story focuses on teenager Ellie Linton and her group of friends who live in a country town in rural Australia.

While on a camping trip into a remote part of the countryside, a foreign army invades.

When the teenagers return from the camping trip, their families and the entire town has been imprisoned and Ellie and her friends must decide whether to hide or fight.

Last week saw filming take place at the council depot in Common Road, and in the streets in Dungog.

Dungog Council chambers was turned into a police station on Thursday as scenes were shot with Homer – one of the characters in the film.

Council staff and onlookers saw Homer exit the doors of the ‘police station’, walk down the front steps, past an officer and in the process of doing so, steals the keys to the police car parked outside.

The handbrake was released and it rolled backwards down the hill and out of camera frame. Homer appeared to be pleased with himself after the scene.

Council officer Shaun Chandler said council signs were removed from the building and replaced with Wirrawee Police Station.

“The large doors were used as the police station entrance and a large ladder was placed up against the building,” Mr Chandler said.

“After the police car rolled down the hill, the actor who played Homer took the ladder down and walked away with it.

“Filming started about 5pm and was all over by 6.30 but it took a lot longer to pack everything up again.”

Filming continued that night at the southern end of Dowling Street.

Jack Fisher said they didn’t start until 11.30pm.

“I think it was supposed to be earlier, but they were running late,” he said.

“The three main actors, Lincoln Lewis, Phoebe Tonkin and Ashleigh Cummings had to run down the street and into Bill Salmon’s backyard to get away from the soldiers.

“There was also a car in the street which they set alight as well.”

Filming started at the showground on Monday and will continue until early Friday morning.

The showground will be set up as a military camp and will include 200 extras believe to be many local residents.

Filming will be carried out from 4pm to 6am each night.