We are pleased our Strong Australia community event has made a real difference to Melbourne’s northern suburbs, bringing together business and community leaders and inspiring the Pelligra Group to redevelop the iconic Ford Australia site in Broadmeadows.

“Leadership, particularly from Broadmeadows MP, Frank McGuire and the federal government, has helped secure the new investment and planning the region needs to thrive,’’ Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said.

“The exit of major manufacturers was a difficult period for the region but new investment is already helping transform the lives of retrenched workers – and stronger local businesses will help drive even more positive change.

“The Business Council is pleased that by bringing people together we could play a part in reinvigorating the region.

“At our Broadmeadows event last year, the community was optimistic about the future. They wanted to attract more investment, businesses and industries to create more jobs in the region.

"We thank Mr McGuire for inviting the Business Council of Australia to Broadmeadows to identify opportunities, and his commitment to drive economic development through collaboration. CEOs from Siemens, DuluxGroup and Ford Australia attended this event, which helped inspire the new investment in the Ford site.

“Over the past 12 months, we have travelled to Broadmeadows, Bathurst, Gladstone, Busselton, Toowoomba, Geelong, Townsville, Cairns, Hobart, Adelaide, and Penrith.

“The message has been clear: communities around Australia want to lock in new investment, growth and jobs, and that’s why we developed the Plan for a stronger Australia.”

Read our plan for a stronger Australia here.