Dubbo workplace hub

The NSW Government is planning to revitalise and redevelop two existing government-owned buildings in Brisbane Street and Carrington Avenue, Dubbo, to deliver a multi-million-dollar regional workplace hub.

Two development applications have been lodged with Dubbo Regional Council to support the delivery of the hub.

A development application was lodged in July 2024 to refurbish the Brisbane Street building. Works will include an internal workplace fit-out, a new accessible lift, stairs, and a new roof that preserves the building’s early 20th century heritage facade.

A second development application was lodged in August 2024 to redevelop the Carrington Avenue building. The plans include a new internal fit-out for the current building and the construction of a three-storey extension at the rear of the property to create additional flexible, modern office space for workers.

The existing building and new extension will be wrapped in a new façade and will connect to the hub’s Brisbane Street building via landscaping featuring a yarning circle and a pedestrian walkway.

Subject to planning approval, the Dubbo workplace hub will consolidate existing government offices spread across the Dubbo area into one modern, efficient workplace campus, providing quality work spaces for hundreds of regional public servants consistent with the high standards of metro locations.

The proposed hub will create more than 400 local trade and construction jobs, up to $209 million of economic benefit to the local economy, and, once completed, will accommodate up to 700 government employees.

Modern, consolidated workplace hubs help the government attract and support people living and working in the regions, resulting in better connections with communities and improved service delivery.

The Dubbo workplace hub will join a successful network of whole-of-government regional hubs which currently includes Gosford, 105 Prince Street, Orange workplace and The Store, Newcastle workplace as well as a future new Coffs Harbour workplace hub.

Background

A new government workplace hub for Dubbo was announced in the 2021 state budget.

A development application to demolish the current building on the Carrington Ave site and develop a new building to accommodate the hub was approved in early 2023.

However, changes in market conditions and escalating building industry costs have prompted a rethink on how best to deliver the hub in the current inflationary climate.

As a result, the government investigated the redevelopment of the existing government buildings to create the hub, rather than proceed with a new build as originally planned.

This new approach will deliver the same quality workplace environment, building efficiencies and environmental outcomes as originally possible from a new development.

By upcycling the existing buildings rather than undertaking a full demolition and rebuild process provides a more sustainable solution that will also result in reduced resource consumption, energy use and emissions.

Project stages

• 2024 – Project planning
• 2025 – Project delivery
• End 2026 – Building completed.