Nationals MP Gaelle Broad has raised the cost of Bendigo’s GovHub in Parliament –
asking for a detailed breakdown of what is being spent on the project.
The GovHub is being constructed in Lyttleton Terrace and expected to house a range
of local and state government entities and up to 1000 staff.
Ms Broad said, “The project is now over-time and over-budget and it is not clear
how much the Bendigo GovHub will cost.”
“I have asked the Regional Development Minister to provide a detailed breakdown of
how much the Bendigo GovHub will cost taxpayers,” Ms Broad said.
“In 2018 a Labor government press release indicated that $16 million would be
spent on the Bendigo GovHub, and the building would be completed late in 2021.
“In June 2022, Regional Development Victoria said the project would cost $90
million and construction would be complete by ‘late 2022’.
“It’s nearly June 2023, and the building is still to be finished. It’s already over time
and over budget, according to their own figures.”
Ms Broad said according to this month’s budget papers, over $120 million is
allocated for the acquisition of Bendigo’s GovHub.
“I have asked the Minister to provide a detailed breakdown of how much the
Bendigo Gov Hub will cost taxpayers – including state and local council funding – the
planning and design, build, fit out, purchase, and lease costs,” Ms Broad said.
“It looks as though taxpayers funded the cost to build it, then paid to buy the
building, and will also pay to lease the building we bought.”
“I look forward to the Minister’s response, because taxpayers have a right to know
how our money is being spent,” Ms Broad said.
Photo caption: An artists impression of the Bendigo GovHub. Photo – RDV website
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.a
