The new $21 million Gippsland Cancer Care Centre is a regional Victorian first in cancer care.

Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said the new centre, at Latrobe Regional Hospital, was the only regional cancer service in the State to house radiotherapy, chemotherapy and consulting rooms in a dedicated cancer care centre.

'For too long, cancer sufferers in Gippsland had to travel to Melbourne for treatment, far away from the communities that supported them,' Ms Pike said.

'Now, Gippsland leads the way in providing access to the latest cancer treatment services in the one location.

'It includes the first radiotherapy service for the Gippsland region, which is a huge plus for the hundreds of Gippsland cancer sufferers who require radiotherapy as part of their treatment.

'Radiotherapy treatment can take weeks and, for Gippsland patients, that has often meant significant travel and time away from the support of friends, family and work.

'Being close to family is vital for patients battling cancer.

'Families of cancer sufferers all the way from Wonthaggi in South Gippsland, through the La Trobe and Gippsland regions all the way up to Orbost will hugely benefit from the new centre.'

The construction of the Gippsland Centenary Rotary House was another feature set to help families travelling long distances within the region for treatment, providing on-site accommodation for cancer patients and their families.

The cancer centre project utilised 377 concrete trucks, 500 tonnes of steel, 800 sheets of plaster and more than 85,000 hours work.