Bendigo Government Hub

The Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub project, spanning from 2016 to 2023, represents a transformative development that unites various local and state government offices, contributing to job creation and vitality in Bendigo. GLAS, responsible for the landscape design, played a pivotal role in creating a dynamic and socially engaging workplace that fosters innovation and revitalizes the local community. The careful selection of durable and high-quality public realm materials, consistent with the COGB's Standard Drawings, underscores the commitment to excellence in design.

The landscape design of the Bendigo GovHub further prioritized sustainability by incorporating key initiatives such as the specification of local materials, materials with low embodied energy, provision of shade, soft surfaces to mitigate the 'Urban Heat Island Effect,' planting for enhanced biodiversity, and the integration of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). The internal courtyard, known as Wartaka, embodies a unique space for staff to meet, relax, reflect, and learn. In collaboration with the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation, GLAS engaged in a co-design process over four years, integrating cultural narratives into the building and landscape design. The tangible outcomes include workshops, plant selection aligned with Dja Dja Wurrung stories, and the design of specific landscape components such as the 'Flow rock' representing the healing qualities of water. GLAS also collaborated with Dja Dja Wurrung on a long-term maintenance strategy to ensure the preservation of cultural narratives over time. The Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub exemplifies a harmonious integration of cultural sensitivity, sustainability, and innovative design.