Premier John Brumby yesterday announced an incident control centre would be set up in Horsham to help combat the plague insects before spring.

He said the control centre would be one of five across the state manned by 400 trained staff as part of the State Government's $43.5-million strategy to combat plague locusts.

A spokesman for the Premier said Horsham was selected as a major centre in the battle because of its resources and location.

"The Department of Primary Industries has a network of offices across Victoria but given the scale of reporting of egg-laying sites to the north and north-east of Horsham, it was deemed an important link in the chain come spring," the spokesman said.

"It's important we base these incident control centres in areas deemed to be at threat and that is why Horsham has been selected.

"It is also a sensible use of resources."

The spokesman said the majority of the 400 staff to be involved in the battle against locusts would be existing department employees.

"There will be people including entomologists, scientists, Biosecurity Victoria staff, people trained in incident response on a large scale, logistics staff, planners, aerial staff, field staff, inspectors and communication staff," he said. "Most will be existing employees but there will be some other people contracted into the positions."

Mr Brumby said the government was taking the locust threat seriously.

"Our government is taking action to support farmers to fight a forecast locust plague which has the potential to cost Victoria's agricultural sector $2 billion if left untreated," Mr Brumby said.

"We are not waiting. We are taking the necessary steps now so that when the locusts hatch, we are ready to act to protect Victoria's horticulture, livestock and dairy industries.

"There is a relatively short time span of a few weeks when immature hoppers are most vulnerable to chemical spraying. That's why it's vital we have trained staff in key locations to work with communities during this critical period to reduce the impact of locusts."

The government could also set up locust field offices at Birchip, Hopetoun, St Arnaud, Ararat and Edenhope depending on the size of the plague.