Major works underway at Ballarat GovHub

Work on the Victorian Government’s landmark Ballarat GovHub is progressing, with major demolition and excavation works underway.

Progress on the site includes the demolition of the Lower Hall and excavation works, with the works being delivered by local construction team Kane and Nicholson and Ballarat-based McPherson Commercial Plumbing, who are creating local construction jobs for the project. 

McPherson is contracted to deliver all hydraulic plumbing works for the GovHub from the basement to the top of the fourth floor and has dedicated an additional six jobs to the project – increasing its workforce to 30 FTE staff while it continues to work on a number of other Ballarat projects.

There are more than 30 local and regional suppliers from Ballarat, Wendouree, Bendigo and Geelong who are contracted for crane management, building supplies, hydraulics and electrical, engineering and waste removal.

Construction of the GovHub will involve more than 350,000 work hours, creating 500 jobs across the construction team and designers John Wardle Architects. It will also provide training opportunities for nine apprentices.

While construction activities have been carefully planned to minimise noise and other disruption, work will continue to excavate the site now that demolition works are complete, and the site is fully cleared.

The northbound lane of Armstrong Street North has been closed between Mair Street and Market Street to allow for the movement of heavy vehicles in and out of the site.

Additional parking to offset the demolition of the on-site 275 space car park is also being made available thanks to a $2 million contribution from the Victorian Government towards the City of Ballarat’s car parking strategy.