Assistance available to conserve heritage properties

Assistance available to conserve heritage properties

Private owners of State Registered heritage places are invited to apply for a share of $1.2 million to assist with urgent conservation works to their properties.

The Heritage Council of Western Australia’s Heritage Grants Program offers dollar-for-dollar funding for grants of up to $100,000, including for conservation plans to help guide works.

Last year, 13 metropolitan and 15 regional places shared in grant funding which, when combined with owner contributions, generated almost $3 million in conservation works.

The Heritage Grants Program is one of the few grants programs in Australia that assists private owners with the costs associated with maintaining heritage places.

Since the Heritage Grants Program’s inception in 1997, 745 heritage projects have received grants totalling more than $18 million.

Applications for the 2017-18 Heritage Grants Program are open until 12pm Tuesday October 31, 2017 and successful applicants will be announced in early 2018.

“The McGowan Labor Government’s support for the Heritage Grants Program recognises the importance of encouraging owners of State Registered heritage places to invest in their conservation,” said Heritage Minister David Templeman.

“This partnership between Government and private owners helps to ensure the long-term viability of our State’s cultural heritage, and promotes local jobs and heritage tourism.”

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said, “Fremantle has a strong history and so it is fantastic to see significant listed properties conserved, including the 1912 Newmarket Hotel which was rescued from a derelict state by a passionate new owner with the help of a $100,000 heritage grant.

“This grant enabled the original timber verandahs to be reinstated, external brickwork restored and the interior floors refinished as part of its adaptation into a ballet school.

“The end result is simply stunning and greatly enhances the local area, promoting heritage-based tourism and encouraging the creation of jobs.”