Labor is keeping Victorians safe with a new Incident Control Centre to respond to bushfires and other emergencies.
Minister Dimopoulos today announced works have started on the $19.5 million control centre at Cann River.
The new control centre will be operational for next summer to protect East Gippsland communities from natural disasters.
The site will be managed by Forest Fire Management Victoria's (FFMVic) to lead bushfire preparedness and responses.
The new facility is located on the same site as the former building, which was demolished as part of the first stage of the project.
The development includes new depot sheds, upgraded supporting infrastructure, and a modern office building featuring a state-of-the-art Level 2 Incident Control Centre.
Once complete, the facility will accommodate FFMVic, DEECA, Parks Victoria and other emergency services.
During major incidents, the Incident Control Centre will support up to 80 emergency management personnel.
Cann River has a long history of significant bushfires, including major campaign fires in 1983 and the 2019-20 Black Summer fires, which surrounded the town.
As stated by Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos
"Cann River is a critically important location for bushfire response across East Gippsland and southern New South Wales."
"We are giving Forest Fire Management Victoria the resources to prepare and respond to bushfires to protect local communities and environment."
As stated by Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh
"We are delivering our emergency services state of the art facilities to protect families and local communities throughout Gippsland."
