The state government is looking for a contractor to lead construction of the $90 million Bendigo GovHub, with expressions of interest now open.
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A shortlist of candidates will be identified from this process and invited to tender.
Under Victorian legislation, local businesses, materials and skills must be used on the project.
The government expects construction will create 100 jobs.
Construction is anticipated to begin mid-year and should be finished by mid-2022.
Editorial: GovHub project's crucial role
City of Greater Bendigo director of corporate performance, Andrew Cooney, said the council was awaiting a valuation from the Valuer General before the sale of the Lyttleton Terrace site proceeded.
Construction will only begin once the land sale is finalised.
Mr Cooney said it was hoped the valuation would be available within the next few weeks.
He said the council would consider this alongside a lease for the City to occupy the new building.
It was hoped, Mr Cooney said, that a recommendation regarding this would be made to council in the first quarter of this year.
Read more about the Bendigo GovHub:
- State government budget 2017-18 | A government hub for Bendigo?
- GovHub included in 2018-19 budget
- GovHub development to bring jobs, vibrancy to CBD
- Council paves way for land sale, new development
- Looking at the next step for GovHub
- Transport workforce to move into GovHub
- Early GovHub designs released
- GovHub needs more car parks, public tells project backers
- Residents raise concerns about GovHub costs
- City gets set for GovHub with soil testing, temporary offices
- GovHub petition tabled in state parliament
- Customer service reshuffle as council prepares for GovHub
- A glimpse of Bendigo's GovHub | Photos, videos
The council agreed last February for the City of Greater Bendigo to become a tenant of the building and made an in-principle decision to sell the land to the state government.
The four-storey GovHub building will house up to 1000 council and state government workers, including staff from the Departments of Transport; Jobs, Regions and Precincts; and Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
It will include community spaces, a customer service area, a cafe, and space for exhibitions.
Designs for the building were released last November and included sustainability features such as solar panels, and water and energy monitoring systems.
The government expects the GovHub will result in 100 new public sector jobs and another 25 positions through supply chain effects.
Council staff based at the Lyttleton Terrace site, where the GovHub building will sit, are moving temporarily to offices in Hopetoun Street and Fountain Court. All customer service enquiries should be made at the Hopetoun Street building.
Contractor expressions of interest will be accepted until 4pm on February 21 at the state government's procurement site.
Local businesses interested in working as subcontractors can register their interest online.