Local Heritage Assistance Fund Guidelines

Local Heritage Assistance Fund Guidelines (pdf)

Background

Bega Valley Shire Council has administered a Local Heritage Fund with the aid of a grant from the NSW Heritage Office since 1996.

The purpose of the fund is to provide an incentive for landowners and community groups to become involved in conserving the Shire’s heritage.

During the period in which Council has utilised the fund, close to 40 projects have been completed satisfactorily. In the period 2006/07 the fund supported the completion of 6 projects. This trend looks set to continue into the next financial year given the number of enquiries to Council.

These projects included:

• Bega Primary School - restoration of bell tower

• House, Bega - paint exterior

• Towamba Public School - replace row of memorial cypress pines and install plaque

• St Georges Uniting Church, Eden - repair of belltower

• Tanja School of Arts - restoration of brick chimney

Eligible projects

The owners of all heritage items in the Bega Valley Shire are eligible for funding under the Local Heritage Fund.

1. Projects that involve preparation and painting of street façades on buildings that contributes positively to the heritage significance of the streetscape.

2. Projects that involve repairs to retain the structural integrity of building façades that contribute positively to the heritage significance of the streetscape.

Priority will be given to buildings that are already listed in the Bega Valley Local Environmental Plan 2002, the State Heritage Register, the Register of the National Estate or the National Trust Register.

Projects not funded

Funding will not be provided for the purchase of a building, or projects where: assistance is reasonably available from another source; substantial assistance has been previously provided; or where the applicant has approval for other projects which are incomplete.

Assessment criteria

Council when assessing your application will take the following matters into account (Please note that it is not necessary for your project to meet all of these criteria):

• The applicant’s ability to demonstrate technical and financial responsibility with regard to the project, and demonstrated ability to complete the project within the allotted time

• Projects that clearly complement broader conservation objectives, eg, projects that implement key findings of heritage studies or projects in designated heritage main street or conservation areas

• Projects that would encourage the conservation of other heritage items

• Projects of demonstrated heritage value to the community

• Projects that are highly visible to the public and have high public accessibility.

Level of funding available

It is proposed that the maximum level of funding per project will be limited to $1,000. You will be required to provide matching funding for your project although there will be cases where you may wish to contribute more to the project, depending on its nature.

Timing of projects

If your project gains approval in September, you will have until May the following year to complete your project. Council requires a compulsory progress report in January, this may consist of a simple letter that states your progress up to this time and a likely completion date of your project.