Key details
Location
300—304 Mair Street, Ballarat
Wadawurrung Country
Policy objective
Generate long-term job growth in regional Victoria.
Project partners
Regional Development VictoriaDepartment of Premier and Cabinet
City of Ballarat
Overview
The Victorian Government is investing in the future of regional Victoria by establishing a new GovHub in the City of Ballarat.
Development Victoria led the delivery of the project, in partnership with Regional Development Victoria, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and the City of Ballarat.
The Ballarat GovHub was completed in April 2021, with tenants moving into the building after an official launch was held on 21 April 2021.
What is a GovHub?
GovHubs are a new way of doing business in regional Victoria, with a focus on enhancing customer service, revitalising city centres and delivering economic benefits to the local community.
The GovHub will centralise the delivery of a range of government services, making it a one-stop-shop for customers and a hub for local activity.
Ballarat GovHub
The Ballarat GovHub can house up to 1,000 Victorian Government workers, including 600 public sector positions relocated from Melbourne. This GovHub has helped to revitalise a major part of the Ballarat CBD, generate long-term job growth and increase business confidence and private sector investment.
Population forecasts suggest that an additional 15,900 jobs need to be created over the next 15 years, and Ballarat GovHub will contribute towards achieving these goals.
The Ballarat GovHub design was led by award-winning design firm, John Wardle Architects, focusing on integration with the iconic Civic Hall site, and delivering contemporary work spaces for government employees. The project was delivered by Kane Nicholson Joint Venture.
The project’s completion is a significant milestone for Ballarat, enabling hundreds of new and relocated jobs to the city as part of the Victorian Government’s $47.8 million commitment to create jobs for Ballarat.
500 jobs created during construction
$100m boost to economy
1,000 victorian government employees
Outcomes
The GovHub design includes:
- A glass conservatory between the Civic Hall and the GovHub, creating a strong public link between Civic Hall and the new building
- A reconstructed lower hall — to be used as a shared space for a cafe/bar, gallery or live music venue
- A civic plaza on Mair Street and a central plaza that will connect the GovHub, Civic Hall and the library
- Ground floor spaces for the community to access Victorian Government services
- Five storeys of office space with large windows to the north and south
- Basement carparking and end-of-trip facilities to encourage walking and cycling
- Strong pedestrian links to the Ballarat CBD and Ballarat train station
Location
Located on the Civic Hall site in Ballarat’s CBD at 300—304 Mair Street, Ballarat.
GovHub is a short walking distance from Ballarat train station, and offers close connections to Armstrong Street's many retail outlets, cafes and restaurants.
Development Victoria acknowledges the Wadawurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land.
Latest news
View allWho to contact about this project
For more information about the project, or to provide feedback please contact us at:
enquiries.engage@development.vic.gov.au
Or visit:
Regional Development Victoria
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Project timeline
- October: Architects appointed
- October/November: Concept designs developed
- December: Community design launch and opportunity to provide feedback on concept designs
- Late December: Planning application to be submitted
- October: Announcement of D&C contractor
- January 2019: Construction commenced
- February 2021: Construction complete
- April 2021: Official launch on 21 April and open for tenants to move in
Updated on 30 January 2024