Cann River fire centre opens by appointment only

TL;DR

A new $19.5 million Level 2 Incident Control Centre in Cann River will open next summer as a replacement for outdated facilities.
Locals can only visit by appointment, which has sparked community angst over restricted access.
The centre improves bushfire response for East Gippsland and southern NSW but raises local concerns about public exclusion.

The story at a glance

The Weekly Times Now reports on a new bushfire control centre in Cann River, East Gippsland, costing $19.5 million (sometimes rounded to $20m), set to open next summer. It replaces old facilities no longer fit for purpose and will be managed by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) on behalf of DEECA, Parks Victoria, and other services. The story highlights community frustration because locals can only visit by appointment. This comes as construction progresses on a project first announced in March 2026 amid Cann River's history of major fires like 1983 and Black Summer 2019-20.[[1]](https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/victoria/cann-river-new-incident-control-centre-to-open-by-appointment-only/news-story/b0a6f9e795a191fc334a35a0e62fcc75)[[2]](https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/protecting-eastern-victoria-natural-disasters)

Key points

Cost is $19.5 million; includes a state-of-the-art Level 2 Incident Control Centre, new depot sheds, upgraded infrastructure, offices, vehicle storage, and secure parking.
Can support up to 80 emergency personnel during major incidents; located on Princes Highway, Cann River, near NSW border.
Replaces undersized, non-compliant old centre; construction underway, operational before next summer bushfire season.
Public access limited to "by appointment only", sparking "community angst" as reported in the article.
Critical for bushfire response across East Gippsland and southern NSW, given area's fire history.[[3]](https://www.miragenews.com/protecting-eastern-victoria-from-natural-1643737)

Details and context

The project addresses long-standing needs in a bushfire-prone area, where past fires like the 2019-20 Black Summer surrounded the town. Current DEECA office in Cann River is already "not open to the public" and information-only by phone, aligning with the reported access policy.[[4]](https://www.deeca.vic.gov.au/communities-and-regions/regions-and-locations)

Victoria's Incident Control Centres are secure operational hubs for coordinating responses, not public venues, explaining restricted access despite local upset.

Announced March 25, 2026, by Minister Steve Dimopoulos, works started soon after to meet the timeline.[[2]](https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/protecting-eastern-victoria-natural-disasters)

Key quotes

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos: “Cann River is a critically important location for bushfire response across East Gippsland and southern New South Wales.”[[2]](https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/protecting-eastern-victoria-natural-disasters)

Why it matters

East Gippsland faces repeated bushfire threats, so better facilities strengthen regional emergency coordination and protect communities near the NSW border. For locals in Cann River, it means enhanced fire response but limited facility access, fueling debate over community involvement in taxpayer-funded projects. Watch for the summer opening and any public access updates or further local reactions.