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Original constituency question from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –

My constituency question is for the Minister for Regional Development.

I seek information from the minister on the progress of the $100 million Ballarat GovHub development and when up to 1000 government employees, including 600 relocated public sector positions, will move into our GovHub.

The Andrews Labor government is committed to regional development, and this has been demonstrated through the Ballarat GovHub project, which has stimulated the local economy during the construction phase by creating up to 500 local jobs.

The Ballarat GovHub will revitalise the CBD and the Civic Hall site. It has been exciting to watch the construction of the new building and most recently to see the zinc cladding and external glazing work being undertaken.

I want to thank the team at Regional Development Victoria Ballarat, the Kane-Nicholson joint venture and all the workers onsite as well as local contractors and suppliers. I look forward to the minister’s response and the opening of our GovHub.

Response from the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Minister for Regional Development (31st May 2021)  –

Thank you for your question and for the kind thanks extended to all involved in the project. It was a pleasure to have you join me for the official opening of the Ballarat GovHub on Wednesday 21 April.

As you’re aware, Ballarat’s landmark $100 million GovHub is now complete and staff have started moving into the building. The project’s completion marked a significant milestone for Ballarat, enabling hundreds of new and relocated jobs to the city as part of the Government’s $47.8 million commitment to create jobs for Ballarat.

Up to 1,000 workers from across eight government departments began moving into the building in late April. The VicRoads Customer Hub opened on Monday 10 May.

Ballarat’s economy was further boosted during the GovHub’s construction, which generated 500 jobs across the teams led by local head contractor Kane Nicholson Joint Venture and building architects John Wardle Architects. The GovHub’s design reflects the theme of the Civic Hall precinct and includes a reconstructed shared space for multi-purpose use and two levels of basement car parking, with over 200 spaces.