In December 2006, Joss Construction was awarded the $9 Million fully designed Digital Imagery and Geospatial Organisation - Geospatial Analysis Centre (DIGO-GAC) Bendigo Facility for the Department of Defence. This project was borne from defence requirements to upgrade and relocate from their home in the historic Fortuna Homestead in Bendigo.
As with most Defence projects, The DIGO Facility is highly secure in nature, and now provides geospatial intelligence, from imagery and other sources, in support of Australia's defence and national interests.
Even though the two level building was reasonably simple in construction, consisting of a slab on ground with deep setdowns for cable access, precast concrete wall panels, hollowcore concrete suspended floor and a structural steel roof structure, the internal services, which included electrical, mechanical, security and communications, were extremely intense and complex, contributing to approximately 60% of the total contract value.
The facility was completed in May 2008 to the complete satisfaction of Defence and their users.