The Ballarat GovHub, located at the centre of Ballarat, Latrobe Valley, is a $47.8 million project funded by the Victorian 2017/18 state budget, set to commence core construction in 2018 with development projected to be completed in 2020. The new office is the third multi-million-dollar development that has been planned for the precinct and will be located at the Civic Hall site on Mair street.
Proposals
Bidders for the large-scale, government-funded construction project have until the 27th of September to submit proposals and offers with Development Victoria leading the development of the project, in partnership with the Ballarat Local Council. The construction project itself is expected to deliver 500 jobs to the local region, considerably boosting the local economy and revitalising the Ballarat CBD.
A $15 million boost
The modern complex will house around 1,000 state government personnel working in sectors such as education and training, justice and regulation, economic development, consumer affairs, environmental matters, revenue, VicRoads and various other services. The State Government is also pushing for the Commonwealth to match Victoria’s commitment by locating more public servants to the coming Ballarat headquarters. Due to the new complex and the increase of employment in the region, it is expected that the Ballarat GovHub will deliver a $15 million boost to the local economy.
Jaala Pulford, Victoria’s Minister for Regional Development is pleased about the decisions to decentralise government jobs across the state and is excited to see how Ballarat will transform from the changes. She went on to say: “We said we’d govern for the whole state and that means government offices and employees shouldn’t just be confined to the Melbourne CBD. Ballarat’s new GovHub will create 600 local jobs to our city and revitalise the Civic Hall site.
“We’re doing everything we can to create jobs to the Valley and 150 public servants will provide a great boost to the local economy.”
Stakeholder consultations
The Victoria state government are planning to undertake stakeholder consultation sessions beginning in October to ensure that all local businesses and residents have the opportunity to get involved in the project and share their opinions. Early works on the Civil Hall begun in July this year to prepare the area for the project.
Latrobe Valley has also had a recent $85 million injection from the Victorian government to improve sport infrastructure and supporting programs. The major works stemming from the $85 million investment include: $46 million for a new Gippsland Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Traralgon, $17 million to redevelop the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex, $4 million to upgrade Morwell Recreation Reserve, $5 million for 9 local reserves to be upgraded, $1.7 million to upgrade the Latrobe Sports and Entertainment Complex in Morwell, $3 million to upgrade the Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe and $1.4 million for the Sale and Traralgon Tennis Centres.
Overall, the Victorian government’s focus on bringing funding to regional areas is expected to boost the regional economy by tens of millions and provide nearly 1,000 construction jobs as the development moves forward. Works will begin as soon as possible with project managers, local designers, contractors and tradespeople encouraged to be involved in the opportunity.
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