Ford workers 'devastated' by announcement Victorian plants will close in 2016 UPDATE: GOVERNMENT intervention would not have saved Ford's manufacturing jobs, Victorian Premier Denis Napthine says. Dr Napthine met with Ford representatives yesterday and was told there was nothing either the Victorian or federal governments could do to change their decision, he said. Workers at the Ford plant in Broadmeadows today. Ford has announced its plants at Broadmeadows and Geelong will close their doors in October 2016, resulting in the loss of 650 and 510 jobs respectively. Victorian Deputy Premier Peter Ryan says the end of manufacturing at Ford is a black day, but it has strengthened the case for the DisabilityCare headquarters to be based in Geelong. Mr Ryan said the state government would provide $9 million for affected workers and the federal government would provide $30 million. Union representative Leigh Diehm said there was "great concern" about the flow-on effect for the rest of the automotive industry. More than 1000 employees work at the Broadmeadows site, with a further 840 in Geelong. Ford said 1500 people would still work for Ford in Australia as well as its 200 car dealers. "Unemployment in this state is high and the workers are quite concerned about the future," Mr Diehm said. This will gut Geelong and gut Broadmeadows - the people living in these communities will be gutted. Mr Diehm said it was too early to tell if the announcement was an indication for the future for other manufacturing companies such as Holden. The father of two children aged under five told his partner of the cuts this morning. Ford CEO and president Bob Graziano "manufacturing is not viable for Ford in the long term" in a press conference this morning. Australia Ford operations have lost $600 million in Australia over five years. Mr Graziano said redeployment was an option but said there were "limited opportunities." Ford will continue to manufacture the Falcon, Falcon ute and Territory until 2016. Production will match demand and there are no plans to reduce current levels. Mr Graziano said the affect on the supply chain could not yet be quantified in a dollar figure but highlighted a "significant" amount of vehicle parts were resources in Australia and would be impacted in the future. Sacked Ford workers will be offered a $39 million rescue package from the Federal and Victorian governments to help them find a new job. The Gillard Government will contribute $30 million with only $9 million coming from the Napthine Government. But there are concerns it will be nowhere near enough to help re-skill the workers at Broadmeadows and Geelong. Ms Gillard called on Ford to contribute money to the fund. Acting Industry Minister Craig Emerson says Holden had promised to stay in Australia until at least 2022. Earlier, Mr Napthine said Victoria could withstand large-scale job losses after receiving the confidential briefing from Ford management. If there's a change to car production we would be working with the Federal Government to support those people who are affected and the supply chain but in the case of Victoria we've had strong job growth since we've been in government,' he said. Victorian Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said the news was "devastating." Geelong Mayor Keith Fagg said "it was very sad news for Geelong." "Our first thoughts are with the staff that are affected and the uncertainty it will provide," he said. There are many people who have many years of service. We want to work with Ford on this and see if there is ways we can make the most of a very bad situation and not lose the skills and not lose the capacity to make things. Darren Cheeseman, Federal Member for Corangamite, said it was a "terrible day for Geelong." "Ford have been a very strong and proud manufacturer in this town and have supported many jobs over decades," he said. I will speak with the Prime Minister today and put to her that Geelong will need support and assistance as a consequence of this. Broadmeadows state Labor MP Frank McGuire said Ford had been in the area since 1959 and the announcement had gutted the community. "Part of the reason Broadmeadows was developed was providing the workforce and the jobs and the career opportunities with Ford," Mr McGuire said. People are shocked. It has been one of the foundation stones of Broadmeadows for more than half a century. It draws a huge amount of its workforce from the local community. Mr McGuire said he was calling on the State Government to "immediately reinvest the $75 million" that was proposed for the Broadmeadows central activities district and Kangan Institute. "Now, more than ever, we need the TAFE courses to be made available to help retrain the workers who have lost their jobs to give them future opportunities," he said. Dr Danny Samson, a car industry analyst at the University of Melbourne, said there would be a knock-on effect to other industries. "It's not a great day and this is another major step down the slippery slope of decline in the automotive and manufacturing sector," he said. It is broader than just the automotive sector. The automotive industry is at the cutting edge for training and techniques. This will have an effect on the component manufacturers and suppliers. Unfortunately it's a big loss and very sad for those who will lose their jobs at Ford but this will spill right back through the manufacturing sector. Those involved in the supply chain - making nuts, bolts, car seats, seatbelts, piston rings, brake linings - they will all be affected. The metals and plastics industries - two core industries - will also be hit hard by this. with Michelle Ainsworth, Matthew Johnston, David Hurley and The Geelong Advertiser