The Block 2024: Channel Nine's extreme move as production kicks off

Channel Nine has taken extreme measures to keep the upcoming season of The Block under wraps as production kicks off on Phillip Island.

It was reported in September that Nine had purchased the holiday resort Island Cove Villas for $9.5 million to be used as the location for the show’s milestone twentieth season.

The resort currently comprises of nine homes, a shared pool, a tennis court and a children’s playground, and has been described on realestate.com.au as “breathtaking from the moment you arrive”.

Before filming kicks off early next year, however, Nine has prevented people from sneaking a peek at the show by installing a large fence around the production site.

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A fan took to a Facebook group for the reality show to share a photo of a very tall privacy wall being built around the perimeter of the resort.

“Fencing going up on The Block 2024 Phillip Island. Looks like it might be very much under wraps this year,” they captioned the sneaky snap.

The Block’s executive producer Julian Cress officially announced last month that season 20 will be filmed on Phillip Island, located 90 minutes south of Melbourne.

The island, which is well known for its colony of little penguins, is a popular tourist destination visited by 3.5 million people annually and has a permanent population of around 14,000.

The show was originally set to take place in the country Victorian town of Daylesford but was forced to relocate in September due to permit issues and complaints from locals.

Channel Nine recently confirmed at their annual Upfront event that Scott Cam will be returning to host the show, while Neale Whitaker announced on Instagram in July that he will be back as a full-time judge for season 20.

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Casting is currently underway for the new season, however, there is potential for the new season to feature the return of some past contestants.

An insider tells Yahoo Lifestyle: “There is still some chatter about bringing back some celebrated contestants for the 20th season but applications are still open for newbies. So the rumour is it will be half newbies and half returnees.”

If this is true, it would be the fifth time The Block has brought back former contestants after All Stars in 2013, Fans v Faves in 2014, Triple Threat in 2015, and Fans v Faves in 2021.

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