Ribbon officially cut on GovHub

THE region’s newest government building was officially declared open last week with a visit from Premier Daniel Andrews and local MPs Jacinta Alan and Maree Edwards marking the occasion.

Bendigo’s GovHub is one of three to be built in regional Victoria and was paid for with $133 million from the State Government.

Eight municipal and State Government agencies will be housed in the building with the aim, in part, to give residents and public sector workers better access to the services.

Mr Andrews said GovHub was a “stunning addition” to Bendigo and praised First Nations elements of the building.

“It’s a stunning addition to our acknowledgment of the fact that we share and live in and benefit from the oldest continuous culture known to human history,” he said.

“This is not a cost, this is just a profound investment in making sure that local communities can come to one place.

“A one-stop-shop, where they can get everything they need across local government services, state government services.”

The energy efficient building features an exterior design that resembles the diamond pattern of the Dja Dja Wurrung shield and represents respect, recognition, self-determination and reconciliation.

City of Greater Bendigo CEO Craig Niemann commended the collaborative effort between the municipality, Regional Development Victoria, construction company Icon Fairbrother, and First Nations corporation DJARRA.

“This is like any other building you’d experience in a capital city,” he said. “The investment in our local workforce will help us attract future generations of staff to come and work and live in this great place.”

GovHub is also known as Galkangu, meaning ‘we make things happen together and are more connected to country’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language.