Hume council has moved to commemorate the everlasting impact of the Ford motor company, exploring a new public art project to honour the legacy of the Broadmeadows assembly plant and its deep ties to Melbourne’s north.
At the Monday 13 October council meeting, Cr John Haddad called for recognition of Ford’s century-long presence and its cultural and economic significance to Hume.
Ford’s assembly plant first opened in Broadmeadows in 1959 and operated through to 2016, serving as one of Hume’s largest employers for new arrivals to Australia since its early beginnings and rolling out some of Ford’s most iconic vehicle models, cementing it as a large part of Australia’s automotive history.
Council moved to commemorate the motor company with light boxes, which would include up to six illuminated displays installed around the Fordgate shopping precinct.
The installations would feature archival images of classic Ford vehicles and the Broadmeadows plant, celebrating local manufacturing history while brightening the area at night.
Cr Naim Kurt considered the move a huge win across the community.
“This is a win for tourism, it’s a win for shopping precincts, it’s a win for heritage and it’s a win for celebrating some iconography of our old city council,” Cr Kurt said.
The initiative is loosely inspired by the installation of cricket busts produced as part of the Ashes heroes collection in Sunbury and is estimated to cost about $80,000, being referred to the 2026-27 budget process for consideration.
Cr Jim Overend said the project is important in cementing Ford’s legacy.
“It’s a big part of our history and yes, it should be celebrated and I think we should be doing something to commemorate it and have people not forget Ford and the influences they had on Australia, in Victoria and in particular the northern suburbs,” Cr Overend said.
Community consultation and engagement with property owners, Ford Australia and former Ford employees will guide the design and placement of the artworks, with potential for future collaborations with Ford Australia and local artists on the books, as stated in council’s report.
