Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub - Development Victoria

Key details

Location
Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo
Dja Dja Wurrung Country

Policy objective
Economic development

Client
Regional Development Victoria
City of Greater Bendigo

Galkangu [pron: gull-kang-gooh] is a Dja Dja Wurrung word, meaning “build together, make things happen together, more connected to Country.”

Overview

The Victorian Government has invested in Bendigo with a new GovHub, Galkangu — a state of the art building to support the creation of jobs, boost the local economy and deliver a range of local and state government services.

The $133 million project will be the third GovHub in Victoria, with Morwell in the Latrobe Valley and Ballarat already complete.

We are proud to have delivered this project in partnership with Regional Development Victoria.

Galkangu provides the community with a single point of access for government services, in the heart of the city.

Up to 1000 employees from the City of Greater Bendigo and the Victorian Government have been colocated in the new building, creating a stronger and collaborative public sector presence in central Bendigo.

Our collaborative partnership with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation has seen the inclusion of Aboriginal design elements and language in the architecture, landscaping and spaces within the building.

The building will feature one of Victoria’s largest mass timber frames, helping to achieve sustainability outcomes by generating lower carbon emissions than traditional building materials such as steel and concrete. Other sustainability features include efficient indoor air quality systems, solar panels, water and energy monitoring systems.

Construction commenced in August 2021, and was completed in mid-2023. The development injected around $131 million into the regional economy.

What is a GovHub?

GovHubs are a new, centralised 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.

200 jobs during construction

$131m boost to local economy

1,000 employees co-located

Incorporation of Dja Dja Wurrung Design and Language

Galkangu exterior

Galkangu exterior - corner image

Galkangu facade

Galkangu interior

2019

Concept design
Community engagement

2021

Construction started

Late 2022

Construction completed

Early 2023

Building occupancy and operation

Outcomes

A well designed public realm

Galkangu will include efficient and accessible open spaces with awnings to provide shade and shelter along Lyttleton Terrace and St Andrews Avenue.

This will ensure the ground floor can be enjoyed by staff and the community. A civic forecourt on Lyttleton Terrace and a pocket park on Mundy Street will connect the building to its surrounds and act as a community meeting point. A strong landscape theme is consistent throughout the building with an internal courtyard and several strategic cut-outs creating space for daylight and views

Sustainability objectives

The building will deliver high-performing sustainability outcomes targeting a 5 Star Green Star certification through the internationally recognised Green Star rating system.

Key design elements include efficient indoor air quality systems, a well-insulated building, solar panels, water and energy monitoring systems and one of Victoria’s largest timber frames.

Promoting sustainable transport

End of trip facilities including bicycle racks will promote the use of sustainable transport for workers.

Incorporating community spaces

The community can enjoy the ground floor area which will include customer service areas, a concierge, a cafe and spaces with ‘lookouts’ offering views of the GovHub’s landscaped gardens and beyond.

State-of-the-art workspaces

Galkangu will offer high-quality, flexible working spaces, including the use of shared meeting spaces and rooms spaced throughout the building.

Approach

In February of 2019, the City of Greater Bendigo decided to sell its Lyttleton Terrace office to the Victorian Government and become an anchor tenant of the GovHub.

The building is being constructed on the parcel of land bordered by Lyttleton Terrace, Mundy Street, St Andrews Avenue and Market Street, and will connect with other major civic buildings including the town hall, library, central business area and nearby Australian Government offices such as Centrelink and Medicare.

The project is situated close to the Bendigo Law Courts Development, and the recently re-developed Bendigo TAFE site and Fire Rescue Victoria’s redevelopment of the Bendigo Fire Station.

Following community engagement in mid-2019 Galkangu’s concept design was finalised, making way for a thoughtfully designed building.

Location

Galkangu – Bendigo GovHub is located at the site of the former City of Greater Bendigo office at 195-229 Lyttleton Terrace Bendigo in the heart of the Civic Precinct.

Development Victoria acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land.

Who to contact about this project

For more information about the project, or to provide feedback please contact us at:
rdv@rdv.vic.gov.au or visit the Regional Development Victoria website.

construction civic Geelong Arts Centre

complete civic State Library Victoria

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Community

In 2019 local community members were invited to a public consultation session to provide feedback on concept designs for the Bendigo GovHub.

Community feedback was also received through an online survey, and a focus group session.

The following themes were considered important:

A welcoming foyer area that provides customers with efficient service delivery and incorporates opportunities for heritage or local art exhibitions
Weatherproof spaces outside the building, sculpture and artworks in the forecourt, landscaping around the building
End of trip bike facilities, linkages to the surrounding bike network and pedestrian prioritisation on surrounding roads
A sustainable design to enhance morale, performance and wellbeing of workers
Universal access, well-designed lighting, community spaces within the building, and connection with the surrounding precinct and city centre.

The concept designs incorporate feedback received during community consultation, and include a well-designed public realm, a reflection of heritage and culture, and key sustainability objectives.

Each of the tenant agencies moving to the GovHub are working with impacted staff to assess their relocation needs.

Read the latest Community Updates

Bendigo GovHub Community Consultation

July 2019

History

Through the use of glass, the GovHub mirrors the curve of Lyttleton Terrace delivering a strong civic presence connecting to the Civic Gardens, Bendigo Town Hall and the Bendigo Library.

The building reflects heritage and culture though the use of bluestone material which is commonly seen across Bendigo.

Opportunities to reflect Bendigo’s history are also being explored through the facade and landscaping including those of cultural significance.

Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub