On Tuesday 18 February 2025 Barwon Water received an Interim Protection Order from the Heritage Council of Victoria for the Black Rock Wind Turbine.

The Order places the wind turbine on the Victorian Heritage Register, which protects the structure while Heritage Victoria conducts an assessment and makes a recommendation to the Heritage Council. The Heritage Council has published this recommendation on their website and are now accepting public submissions until 20 May.

Based on structural engineering advice and the risk posed to public safety, we have submitted a heritage permit application to proceed with dismantling works.

At more than 30 years old, the wind turbine has reached the end of its useful life and, for safety reasons, we had proposed that it be dismantled due to the high risk of failing.