The Ballarat GovHub building officially opened its doors to Victorian customers today, as VicRoads became the first tenant to move into the Andrews Labor Government’s new purpose-built building.

About 220 VicRoads staff members are now working from the new VicRoads Customer Hub located in the GovHub building – including 80 roles that have relocated from the former VicRoads Contact Centre and customer services team in metropolitan Melbourne to Ballarat.

All VicRoads services except for drive tests and vehicle inspections will be available at the VicRoads Customer Hub, and the existing Wendouree site will now be Ballarat’s Testing and Inspection Centre, delivering drive tests and all vehicle inspections services.

The Labor Government’s GovHub building pays homage to Ballarat’s history, culture and environment using materials and images that reflect the local character – and level three is home to VicRoads’ modern call centre.

The VicRoads Customer Hub will be open to the public from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, while the Wendouree Testing and Inspection Centre will be open from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

The new $100 million building will be home to up to 1,000 employees, including up to 600 public sector positions relocated from Melbourne, revitalising a major part of the Ballarat CBD as part of the Labor Government’s commitment to create jobs for Ballarat.

It will bring together several departments and agencies in the one place including VicRoads, Regional Development Victoria, State Revenue Office, Service Victoria, Consumer Affairs Victoria, Department of Education and Training and Department of Justice and Community Safety.

The Latrobe Valley GovHub is set to open later this year, while early works are underway on the construction of the Bendigo building.

For more information on VicRoads services available at the Ballarat GovHub, visit vicroads.vic.gov.au.

Quote attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll

“It’s great to see the Ballarat GovHub open for business, bringing the Ballarat community all the VicRoads services they need and delivering hundreds of secure, long-term jobs for local people.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas

“Our very first GovHub is open for business, delivering the services the Ballarat community needs as well as good public service jobs for regional Victorians – and we’re not stopping there, with GovHubs taking shape in Bendigo and Gippsland.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Ballarat CBD will be activated by the 220 VicRoads staff members who have made the move to this exciting new building – and I offer a very warm welcome to those who have made the move to Ballarat to work at our first GovHub.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“We’re excited to deliver VicRoads’ full suite of services right in the centre of Ballarat – giving locals from right across our region easier access to the services they need every day.”