Ford sells North Geelong site for urban renewal project

MELBOURNE developer Pelligra Group has bought Ford’s former manufacturing sites in Geelong and Broadmeadows.

The sites, to be named Fortek Geelong and Assembly Broadmeadows respectively, will be subdivided.

Pelligra has purchased the former manufacturing facilities and Ford will retain its research, design and engineering facilities, which are located at the rear of the North Geelong site.

Pelligra has initially committed $500 million for stage one of the urban renewal project and estimates that up to 2,000 jobs will be delivered at first across the two sites, mainly in technology and new business.

“Pelligra has a strong track record of projects that deliver jobs and rejuvenate communities,” Pelligra Group chair Ross Pelligra said.

“Our intention with Fortek Geelong and Assembly Broadmeadows is the same; we are committed to ultimately delivering 4,000−5,000 jobs in the next five to 10 years, with the first manufacturing tenants anticipated to start work on site within a year.

“Fortek Geelong and Assembly Broadmeadows are significant historical manufacturing sites. Through our investment in the area, we intend to help rejuvenate and grow the local community, and create industry leading hubs with world class innovation, engineering, and manufacturing on site.”

Ford Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer Kay Hart said Ford’s Geelong and Broadmeadows sites had played a central role in the history of Australia’s auto industry as centres of technical excellence and had been part of the fabric of the local communities for generations.

“We are pleased that Pelligra Group will build on Ford’s ongoing engineering and design presence by adding new opportunities for innovation, ideas and business in Geelong and Broadmeadows.”