Key details
Location
Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo
Policy objective
Economic development
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 is investing 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 $90 million project will be the third GovHub in Victoria, with Morwell in the Latrobe Valley and Ballarat already complete.
We are proud to be delivering this project in partnership with Regional Development Victoria.
Galkangu will provide 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 will be 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 is expected to be completed in late 2022. The development will inject 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
Galkangu project status
Significant progress can be seen on the site of Bendigo’s new GovHub with Galkangu’s presence rapidly emerging in the city’s northern end on Lyttleton Terrace.
From start of main works in August 2021, construction has gathered momentum on the project, with early work including the arrival and installation of the impressive mass timber structure, which is a key design feature of the building.
Work has been completed on the façade which incorporates the diamond pattern of the shield and other Dja Dja Wurrung symbolism.
The base build of Galkangu was completed in November 2022, and from the inside of the building, the internal tiered courtyard is well and truly taking shape, allowing natural light into the building.
Another small courtyard is being built with a granite water feature and Indigenous planting. The landscaping will include a planting palette of the pre-colonial box ironbark forest which would have stood on the site.
Over coming months, work will continue to focus on the interior of the building, with fit-out of the customer service area, workstations and meeting spaces underway, with a view to welcoming staff in early 2023.
Incorporation of Dja Dja Wurrung Design and Language
Latest news
View allTimeline
- Concept design
- Community engagement
- Construction started
- Construction completed
- Building occupancy and operation
Outcomes
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
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.
End of trip facilities including bicycle racks will promote the use of sustainable transport for workers.
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.
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 will be 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.
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.
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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.
Each of the tenant agencies moving to the GovHub are working with impacted staff to assess their relocation needs.
Bendigo GovHub Community Consultation
July 2019History
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.
Resources
- Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub - Community update - October 2022 PDF, 388.7 kb
- Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub - Community update - June 2022 PDF, 352.2 kb
- Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub fact sheet — November 2019 PDF, 2.0 mb
- Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub — Winter 2019 PDF, 197.9 kb
- Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub — Community Consultation fact sheet PDF, 2.3 mb
Updated on 25 January 2023