In 2018 local volunteers undertook the restoration of an historic wool press from Black Rock Station. The Black Rock Wool Press is one of a handful of manual presses still in existence, imported in 1830 and used at Black Rock Station until mechanisation took over. Thus the Black Rock Wool Press is both an reminder of early settler struggles to establish a wool industry in harsh country, and a means of interpreting the region’s history to modern visitors.

With the restoration complete, the Black Rock Wool Press Working Party approached the District Council of Orroroo Carrieton to support the installation of the Wool Press as a feature in the median strip of the Orroroo main street. Council sought and was granted funding through Building Better Regions Fund for development of a business case to determine the costs and benefits of a facility to showcase the Wool Press as the centrepiece of a regional tourism hub.

MOTION: (001/0818) 
That Council advise Mr Jim Kuerschner that it is committed to the project of showcasing the Press in the main street area of Orroroo; and that Council establish a Black Rock Woolpress Working Party with members from Council and the restoration team. The Working Party to commence discussions on the possible location, structure and grant funding applications.
Cr Parkyn / Cr Ford CARRIED

The Wool Press Rotunda will be the centrepiece of a main street tourism experience that interprets the history of the Orroroo district.

The main street tourism development will eventually incorporate the entire median strip between existing entrance installations (the Forbes plough and horses at the western end and the Orroroo entrance statement and irrigation installation at the eastern end). The Wool Press will form the hub of a story that weaves through the historic kurrajong trees, past shops that retain their heritage features, to a picnic and play area next to the café and retail centre.

The District Council of Orroroo Carrieton has made a significant investment in the beautification of Orroroo’s main street, recognising its importance as a community hub and as a feature that attracts the attention of travellers on the east-west route: for travellers from Broken Hill (and hence New South Wales and Queensland), Orroroo is the first town the encounter in South Australia with a cool, green main street and a vibrant shopping strip.

The Wool Press will serve four key economic development purposes:
1. It will attract the attention of travellers through Orroroo, and encourage them to stop and learn about the history of the district, and to spend time and money in local businesses.
2. It will be a destination for history and heritage tourists, thus attracting visitors who might otherwise not come to this region.
3. Visitors to the Wool Press site will obtain self-guided maps of the historic and scenic attractions in the district, and thus be encouraged to explore further and stay longer.
4. The Wool Press precinct will be the first stage in a longer-term plan to activate the empty shops on the southern side of Second Street, potentially through displays and popup activities as a pre-cursor to new business investment.