A LAST-ditch effort has been made to save the historic electricity substation in Mildura’s Deakin Avenue which has been slated for demolition.

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper has written to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne asking for his urgent intervention to halt the planned demolition of the Number 1 Sub Building, which is affectionately known as Old ’36.

“I have asked the Minister to intervene to at least stop the demolition, which is planned for November,” Ms Cupper said.

“This will allow proper time to be taken to determine what repairs could be done to the building to preserve it as a community space.”

The building is owned by Powercor, which it says poses significant safety risks.

“An online petition to save Old ’36 has attracted almost 800 signatures so there is significant public interest in saving the building,” Ms Cupper said.

 “The building has significant historical and heritage value to the Mildura city centre.

“Our identity and character is expressed through our historical architecture and it’s crucial we do everything we possibly can to preserve the assets we have left.”