Call for Applications: Local Heritage Grants (Australia)

The Local Heritage Grants program provides funding to landowners for maintenance and conservation works to heritage items, items in conservation areas as identified within Schedule 5 of the Mid-Western Regional Local Environmental Plan 2012 and significant buildings.

The Local Heritage Grants program supports projects which relate specifically to conservation and maintenance works and/or upgrades (fire, services and access) which satisfy the Building Code of Australia requirements for ongoing and new uses.

Objective

• The objective of this policy is to support heritage conservation and maintenance projects that respect and enhance the historic character of their region and heritage value of their towns.

Priorities

• Priority will be given to projects which have been considered by Council’s Heritage Advisor, Heritage Committee and involve:
  • Heritage item(s) in a well maintained heritage streetscape or landscape setting.
  • Heritage item(s) with public access and visibility.
  • Urgent maintenance works to avert management risks eg. severe deterioration, demolition or demolition by neglect.
  • Item(s) that are part of a heritage group or precinct.
  • Upgrades to fire, service and access to achieve compliance with the Building Code of Australia.
  • Ongoing or adaptive reuse of heritage item(s).
  • Items that have not received Council funding support in the last five years.
• It is noted that whilst priority will be given to projects which have not received funding support in the last five years, Council may at its discretion provide funding if there is a high level of benefit in achieving the objectives of the program.

Funding Information

• Grants between $1,500 and $5,000 are available, with matched funding to be provided by the applicant. Any proposed works are to obtain appropriate approvals, and applicants are required to supply two quotes for the proposed work. Council currently recognises more than 450 individually listed heritage items and four heritage conservation areas in the Mid-Western Region.

Eligibility Criteria

• Only owners and managers of heritage items, items in a heritage conservation area, or significant buildings can apply for Local Heritage Grants funding.
• Applications should be received and successful projects completed according to the timeline.
• There will be one application period per financial year.

For more information, visit Mid-Western Regional Council.