Geelong and Broadmeadows bounce back 10 years after Ford factory closures

A decade after the closure of Ford's manufacturing plants in Geelong and Broadmeadows, the local economies are showing signs of recovery. For many former employees, however, the impact of the shutdown still resonates deeply.

Tony Travers, a 28-year Ford veteran, still misses the factory. "I still miss the factory. If it was open, I'd still be there," he said.

A Community Rebuilt

The Geelong factory, which operated for 90 years, was a significant employer and a cultural hub for the region. During World War II, the plant manufactured long-range fuel tanks for aircraft. After the war, it produced car panels and engines for iconic models like the Falcon, Fairlane, and Territory.

When the factory closed in 2016, about 600 workers were affected. Many had worked at Ford for their entire careers and felt a sense of loss and disorientation. "You were sort of proud of what you produced, to see the finished product at the end. It was good," Mr. Travers said.

Road to Recovery

The closure had a profound impact on the local economy. In Geelong, the unemployment rate rose to 6.5%, and in Hume, including Broadmeadows, it peaked at 9.9%. However, over the past decade, the regions have shown signs of recovery. Geelong's unemployment rate has decreased to 4.5%, and Hume's has dropped to 6.4%.

Local businesses have diversified, and new industries have emerged. Sykes Rowing, a company that received funding from the Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund, has expanded its operations to include engineering and manufacturing components for drones.

Managing director Mark Nothnagel said, "I think it was integral to us being able to understand where we were, compared to all our international competitors."

A New Era for Geelong and Broadmeadows

Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj believes the city has moved on from the closure of the Ford factory. "There's no question that Geelong has moved on from the closure of manufacturing here at Ford in 2016. We're now diversified, we've got the health sector, education, our social insurers, tourism, major events, arts and culture, advanced manufacturing and agribusiness," he said.

In Broadmeadows, there are plans for a new data centre at the former Ford site, which has drawn local opposition. Hume Mayor Carly Moore said, "I don't believe that a data centre here in what is very valuable employment land is the best outcome for our community."

Dr. Tom Barnes, from the Australian Catholic University, surveyed former Australian automotive workers and found that Geelong's economy has diversified more successfully than Broadmeadows. "There is a tale of two cities when it comes to Ford. I think Geelong's economy has diversified over the last 10 to 20 years in quite a successful way," he said.