Local communities play a prominent role in bringing about appropriate responses to major shocks. This research surveys households in affected regions to ascertain the extent of indirect ‘knock-on’ impacts of the plant closures for households, as closures can create both negative and positive social impacts. This includes families whose businesses were affected by the closures and impacts for community cohesion as people unite to rebuild their communities. The strength of local government, local leadership, geography, resource endowments and industry structure all serve as important mediating factors. Uncertainties of the labour market give rise to feelings of helplessness, and affects the degree to which individuals look to governments or businesses to identify solutions. This research examines the relationship between structural adjustment programs and political (dis)enfranchisement, and the degree to which individuals are aware of government assistance. This dataset presents data collected from a 2021 Community Survey that includes perspectives from communities directly surrounding the automotive assembly plants that closed between 2016 and 2017 - Ford, Toyota, and General Motors Holden plants. It also includes the perspectives from the broader population of Melbourne and Adelaide where the assembly plants were located. This dataset includes community perspectives of leaders and leadership during periods of crisis (COVID-19) and economic restructuring (the automotive plant closures). In all, 1,755 responses were recorded.

2024