A new permanent house for business operations will serve to empower Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation enterprise, and bring greater benefits for the region in central Victoria, Dja Dja Wurrung Group chief executive Rodney Carter says.

On Friday the corporation, DJAARA, marked the start of construction of the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporate and Community Centre in Bendigo.

As well as housing DJAARA's internal commercial ventures, the facility is open to external businesses alongside operating as a arts, cultural and ceremonial space for the community.

The Victorian Government handed back the site, which was formerly a high school, on Hattam Street, Golden Square in 2021.

$11.5 million of funding was allocated to building the centre, before an additional $5 million in the state's latest budget.

10 years on from DJAARA's Recognition and Settlement Agreement with the state government, the corporation continues to grow unique and widely-benefical commercial opportunities - namely agricultural business and cultural and natural resource management services.

Last month, the DJAARA launched their 2023-34 climate strategy for the utilisation of traditional knowledge in existing industry in the area.

Going forward, external entities businesses are set to rub shoulders with one another in what was described as a "centre of excellence" and "think tank".

"I think we're gonna do some really great things in the years to come - the next decade, if not centuries and to have a centre of excellence...a corporate and community centre gives us an opportunity of a home, of a base to launch those types of activities from," Mr Carter told National Indigenous Times.

"There was this creative idea that we built our own facility but we have a business incubator model..so that's hot desking people…so that they can immerse themselves in what Dja Dja Wurrung does. I think that opposes direct opportunity for more partnerships, more collaboration, greater outcomes together.

"Supporting others, to be able to do their own unique thing is a really, I think, essential way to get greater outcomes.

"So it's really a type of space, a think tank, to bring ideas together and make them happen."

DJAARA representatives were joined by Dja Dja Wurrung Elders, Victorian Deputy Premier and member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allen and Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams to mark the occasion.

"Designed by and for the local community, this centre will honour the rich history of the Dja Dja Wurrung people and provide a space where their strong culture is recognised, protected and promoted for the benefit of all Victorians," Minister Williams said.

Rather than a sod-turning or ground breaking ceremony, the opportunity to shape what the future looks like for the local community on Dja Dja Wurrung country from the centre was celebrated with a garni (digging stick) ceremony.

Mr Carter said it DJAARA-fied the event.

"We celebrated today, just like others would, but in a Dja Dja Wurrung Style," he said.

The Corporate and Community Centre construction is expected to be completed in 2024.