The City of Greater Bendigo will begin talks with the state government about the sale of council land, following a decision by councillors to approve a Bendigo GovHub.
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Cr O'Rourke said the first step would surround the sale of the land where council offices currently sit, to the state government.
"I believe that is the next step. That process will start to happen with valuer general office," she said.
"The valuer general has to be involved in terms of the pricing of the land.
"The land isn't for sale on the open market. It's for sale through the process of the development. It ensures we get the best and fairest price.''
The process for the sale of the land along with the detail designs for the drawings will be open to consultation for the community.
Cr O'Rourke understood not everyone supported the establishment of the GovHub.
"I know there will be a percentage of the community that won't be happy with this decision," she said.
"Other councillors and I have spoken to so many people that are supportive. I have said to people who have been the most strongly opposed (to the GovHub) to speak to local members of parliament and Regional Development Victoria.
"It's a state government project and if people have concerns they need to be raised with the state government."
When the GovHub project arrives at building stage, Cr O'Rourke conceded there would major disruptions and challenges in maintaining council services as well as access to the CBD.
"There will be (major disruptions) and there is no doubt that will be a challenge," she said.
"Last night was a tough decision but the harder work happens around how we maintain services, and the high level of customer service we give out to the community while we decant out of here and continue to operate while (construction) goes ahead.
"You're going to have disruptions to get the great outcome. We have seen it in other construction projects around Bendigo like the hospital.
"(The hospital) is a great example of the pain you have to go through for ultimate gain. Look at what the hospital has created for our area with the employment (and services) it's brought."
Councillors Andrea Metcalf and George Flack, who voted against the proposal, both raised concerns about what they believed was inadequate community consultation."
But Cr O'Rourke said there had been, and would continue to be, opportunities for the public to have its say.
An independent review of the City of Greater Bendigo and the development of Plan Greater Bendigo both included a recommendation for office co-location.
As part of Plan Greater Bendigo the GovHub project was voted in as one of the key strategic projects for the city and included community consultation.
Read more: CBD at heart of Plan Greater Bendigo
"People need to understand there has been consultation," she said. "In terms of the recommendations that were before us, much of those recommendations were market sensitive and commercial in confidence."
The GovHub project is expected to cost $90 million with the state government committing $16 million in May last year.
A spokesperson for Regional Development Victoria said the partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo was exciting.
"This is an exciting opportunity that will bring together hundreds of jobs and new economic opportunities to Bendigo - revitalising the city centre," they said.
"Development Victoria will now be invited to undertake the delivery of the project on behalf of the Victorian Government and Council."
Another 600 people will work in the Bendigo CBD when the GovHub is completed.
Cr O'Rourke said the GovHub would have a flow on effect to other businesses in the nearby area.
"The fact that we have a department from Epsom coming in with other departments located (elsewhere in the city) means 600 people that aren't working in the CBD, will be," she said.
"We have seen what the Bendigo Bank consolidation did when they put that building there.
"If it wasn't there, we wouldn't have those businesses surrounding it. There's no doubt there is a flow on effect that happens."
The current council offices in Lyttleton Terrace were built about 40 years ago.
Cr O'Rourke said they were not built to accommodate a council as big as the City of Greater Bendigo.
"This was built at time when there was one council and before (Bendigo's council) amalgamation,' she said.
"So there are areas that are not meant to be office space and (were originally) function areas. Elements of this building have been maintained at a reasonable level but there are absolutely issues around suitability.
"The building has moved and changed so many times to accommodate a growing city and is not a building for the 21st century."
Cr O'Rourke said signalling Bendigo council's involvement in the project was the first of many steps forward.
"There will be a lot of work that needs to happen," she said.
"The state government needs to work through its processes. Regional Development Victoria is the body most likely to be the developer so we need to sit with them and understand the next steps going forward."
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