Construction has officially commenced on a new $19.5 million Incident Control Centre (ICC) in Cann River, a major investment designed to bolster East Gippsland’s defences against bushfires and other natural disasters.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos recently announced the start of
works on the state-of-the-art facility, which is expected to be fully operational in time for next summer.
Managed by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), the new hub will lead bushfire preparedness and response efforts across the region.
It is situated on the footprint of the former building, which was demolished during the project’s initial phase.
The $19.5 million development is more than just an office; it features new depot sheds, upgraded supporting infrastructure, and a modern office building housing a state-of-the-art Level 2 Incident Control Centre.
Once complete, the facility will serve as a collaborative hub for FFMVic, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Parks Victoria, and other emergency services.
During major campaign fires or other emergencies, the centre will have the capacity to support up to 80 emergency management personnel.
The strategic importance of Cann River cannot be overstated. The town has a harrowing history with bushfires, most notably during the 1983 campaign fires and the 2019–20 Black Summer fires, which famously surrounded the township.
“Cann River is a critically important location for bushfire response across East Gippsland and southern New South Wales,” Minister Dimopoulos said.
“We are giving Forest Fire Management Victoria the resources to prepare and respond to bushfires to protect local communities and the environment.”
Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh echoed the sentiment, noting the facility’s role in local safety.
“We are delivering our emergency services state-of-the-art facilities to protect families and local communities throughout Gippsland,” Mr McIntosh said.
The project is part of a broader effort by the Labor Government to ensure regional communities have the infrastructure necessary to respond rapidly to the increasing threat of natural disasters. By consolidating agencies under one roof with modern technology, the Cann River ICC is set to become the centrepiece of emergency response for the far east
of the state.
