A NEW design addition and building name have been revealed for the new Bendigo GovHub, celebrating the region's rich Aboriginal culture.
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The state government confirmed the name of the new building - Galkangu - and that its facade would feature the shield of the Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners.
Galkangu means making things happen together and being more connected to Country and was chosen after extensive consultation with the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation (DJAARA) Elders.
Premier Daniel Andrews visited the site on Wednesday to make the announcement.
"Today underlines the importance of our partnership with the Dja Dja Wurrung and reinforces the significance of Aboriginal heritage in the wider Bendigo community," he said.
"We don't want the Dja Dja Wurrung people's influence to be an add on, we want that input all the way through so that the values of this space and their values of inclusion, respect peace and honouring those who have come before us are present at all times.
"The GovHub not only creates more local jobs once complete - but it will make it easier for people to get all the services and support they need in one spot."
The facade design was created by Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta and Jaru artist Natasha Carter.
Its diamond pattern represents identity, protection, honour and the historic Recognition and Settlement Agreement of 2013 that formally acknowledged the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners for part of Central Victoria.
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"Our symbols that are present in and around Galkangu will empower those serving the community and will be a significant step for those that live on Dja Dja Wurrung Country - together we will prosper," Dja Dja Wurrung Group chief executive Rodney Carter said.
The building will achieve a minimum 5 Green Star rating, efficient indoor air quality systems and water and energy monitoring systems.
More than 150,000 artefacts dating from the goldfields era to the 1960s were discovered during an archaeological dig on the site - the largest dig of its kind in regional Victoria.
The Bendigo GovHub construction began in August and is expected to be complete by early 2023, generating 200 new local jobs during construction and injecting an estimated $130 million into the local economy.
Up to 1,000 state government and City of Greater Bendigo employees will work at the state-of-the-art, flexible workspace providing a centrally located, one-stop-shop for government services to Bendigo.
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