Move on site of icon

IT IS good news that there is finally some movement on the largely vacated Ford site.

The factory site is an icon of our city stretching over the decades.

But, once a hum of activity, it is now mostly unused and gives out melancholy vibes common to fading icons.

The Addy reported on its front page in 1925 that Geelong was to be Ford’s Australian headquarters.

It would be nice to be able to report soon that a new use for the site is being advanced — even better if that were a good use.

As we report today, the futures of the North Geelong site and the former casting plant on Seabeach Pde have been in limbo since Ford stopped using them for production more than two years ago.

Ford was unnecessarily secretive and incredibly controlling over the process of closing down manufacturing here in October 2016.

And extracting information about their plans since — possibly because of recalcitrance from Detroit rather than locally — has been like trying to pull teeth.

Ford have previously said: “This is a lengthy process and we have a number of years to go. Information pertaining to a 2019 sale is not accurate.”

But as we report, Ford’s expressions of interest process closed at the end of last month with the company reporting strong interest in the Geelong and Broadmeadows sites.

Ford is not saying how many or who, but we do know that Geelong Port has confirmed interest.

It is in everyone’s interests that there is as much transparency for the Geelong community — from Ford, planning authorities and council — as to how this space is used.

We need to find a way to respect the past while also moving into the future.

This whole precinct including nearby Powerhouse and Osborne House will be a hotly contested area over coming years. And our leaders will need to choose the best outcome.

Stay tuned for interesting times ahead.