It’s great news for owners of heritage places across the entire region, as the team at MidCoast Council announces applications for its 2017/18 Local Heritage Fund are now open.
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If your heritage place is in need of a fresh coat of paint, repairs or works to restore it back to its former glory, you could be eligible for some financial assistance. The Local Heritage Fund, available in the Manning Valley for the past decade, has for the first time been opened up to owners of heritage places across the MidCoast Council area.
Lillian Cullen, MidCoast Council’s heritage advisor, is excited to see the annual grants program extended across the region.
“Each year the initiative has resulted in many significant projects that have given new life to our heritage buildings,” Ms Cullen said.
“It’s terrific that the NSW Heritage Branch is again assisting council to make these grants available not just in the Manning region, but to almost 420 owners of heritage places across the MidCoast”.
The grants offer assistance of up to $1000, but in some special cases up to $2000 can be provided. As part of the application process, eligible property-owners must demonstrate their contribution to the project, as the grant cannot make up more than 50 per cent of the total project cost.
“These grants are like a helping hand to make a start on your renovation project, and they’re a great way to help preserve our local history. In past years up to $135,000 worth of improvements has been completed for a total grant allocation of around $12,000,” Ms Cullen said..
Recently completed projects include a facial for Taree Croquet Club, new guttering at the Taree Showground horse stable, and reinstatement of the flagstone porch at the former ANZ Bank in Wingham – all of these projects received assistance last year.
Heritage advice is also available for those who are thinking about restoration but not certain where to start.
For eligibility criteria and to find out more, visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants. Applications for the 2017/18 Local Heritage Fund close on Friday, June 16, and works must be completed by early May 2018.
Heritage remains high on the agenda for MidCoast Council, with a planning proposal soon to go on exhibition recommending over 50 items within the region for heritage listing. More information will be provided when this goes on exhibition.
