A completion date for a major government project at Tallangatta remains unclear, despite initial plans to already have the facility up and running in time for the summer firefighting season.
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The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning building had been due for completion last month, which would have assisted with bushfire efforts in the Upper Murray.
The $10.3 million project would have room for 15 forest and firefighting staff, further project firefighting positions, and space for 24 other employees.
The building would be used as an Incident Control Centre during major fires in the region.
The project was due to start last April but hasn't commenced, except for groundwork.
Precast concrete and piping can be seen at the site, along with an excavator, but work hasn't begun on the structure.
It is still unclear when that work will begin.
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A spokesman for the department said issues had been identified at the building site on the Murray Valley Highway.
"The building of the new Tallangatta site has been delayed due to large quantities of rock being identified underground," the spokesman said.
"The delay in the new facility being built has had no impact on our ability and capability to respond to bushfires."
Some of the rock has been removed and alterations have been made to the original plans.
The department hopes to get a better understanding of when the building will be finished in the next three to four weeks, but staff are focused on dealing with bushfires.
It's understood the delays have caused problems for contractors and led to additional costs for the state government as plans for the building have been redesigned.
The project was announced by member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, in August 2018.
Towong Shire councillors signed off on a development application in February last year.
A large number of DELWP staff continue to work on bushfires in the North East.
Fires have burnt from southern NSW into Gippsland, and are yet to be declared under control.
Staff have been involved in backburning operations to create control lines in a bid to prevent the further spread of the fires, which were started by lightning nearly three weeks ago.
Advice messages remain in place for many towns in the North East.
A watch and act message is in place for residents in Buffalo River, Dandongadale, Merriang South, Mount Buffalo and Nug Nug.
