Heritage Victoria last week rejected Hepburn Shire Council 's permit application for the new dive tower.

The immediate closure of the top 10m platform on the dive tower was enforced several years ago because of safety concerns.

The council submitted a permit to Heritage Victoria to knock down the tower and replace it with a similar one that met safety standards.

But last year the council lodged revised plans with Heritage Victoria, so the tower design would take in findings from a Life Saving Victoria risk assessment.

The revised plans outraged members of Friends of Calembeen Park, who said the new structure was ugly and did not preserve the heritage of the area.

A spokesperson for Heritage Victoria has advised the council that the amended plans were too different to be approved under the current permit.

"Heritage Victoria has now advised that the amended plans require Hepburn Shire Council to lodge a new permit application as the proposal for side-by-side platforms differs too significantly to that approved by the current permit," a Heritage Victoria Spokesperson said.

"The current permit allows for the reconstruction of the tower without the top platform."

Council staff will now prepare a report on the matter and councillors will need to decide on a course of action.

A public consultation process would be undertaken should council elect to proceed with a new permit application.