- Published:
- Wednesday 11 April 2018
Ballarat’s $100 million GovHub building has been given the green light, with planning approval for the development granted today.
Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford welcomed the decision, which paves the way for the landmark project that will transform the Civic Hall site and house up to 1,000 government employees.
The Andrews Labor Government has invested $47.8 million in the project, which is located in the heart of Ballarat’s CBD and will support local jobs and economic growth.
To facilitate the GovHub project, the Ballarat Planning Scheme has been amended to make the Minister for Planning the responsible authority for the land to be redeveloped.
Consultation with the community undertaken late last year, which included focus groups and the GovHub design launch event, showed there was overwhelming support for the project.
Community feedback was considered in the final design, which recognises the important cultural and community significance of the adjacent Civic Hall and library within the City of Ballarat while also creating a modern and accessible workplace.
The final GovHub design includes an active ground floor space, incorporating the bricks and masonry theme of the Civic Hall precinct, a reconstructed lower hall space for multi-purpose use, a glass conservatory linking the Civic Hall to the GovHub, five storeys of office space with a visual connection to the Ballarat CBD and basement car parking.
The Government is building GovHubs in regional centres – with Ballarat being the first – to boost local economies and support regional jobs.
Work will begin on the site in September, with the construction of the new building to start by the end of the year. The Labor Government will continue to work with the local community as the development progresses.
A total of 290 car parks have already been identified to offset the loss of parking on the site, as part of the Labor Government’s $2 million commitment to the Ballarat Car Parking Strategy, which will deliver 1,000 new car parks.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“The project will breathe new life into Ballarat’s CBD, diversify the range of jobs on offer and help provide career pathways for locals, while attracting more people to live in regional Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight
“The GovHub building is now another step closer with planning approvals in place and construction to start later this year.”
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard
“There are shovels in the ground right across Ballarat as part of our record investment to build new infrastructure, improve services and create local jobs.”