Greater Shepparton Heritage Conservation Grants Program

Council recognises the value of our heritage and the significant contribution it plays in enriching our daily lives.

The Heritage Conservation Grants Program seeks to promote good conservation practice (maintenance, preservation, reconstruction or restoration) works that improve the physical security or appearance of a place, whilst being respectful of the place’s significance.

Owners of properties in Greater Shepparton within a Heritage Overlay are encouraged to apply for grants to assist in the conservation of these places for future generations to appreciate.

Background

Launched in 2017 following a recommendation of the Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee, the program aims to enhance, conserve and protect places and sites included in the Heritage Overlay, and to increase public awareness and understanding of heritage sites across Greater Shepparton.

Following a hugely successful Heritage Grants Program for the 2020/2021 financial year, Council in association with the Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee launched an enhanced Heritage Grants Program for the 2021/2022 financial year.

Council adopted the Heritage Conservation Grants Guidelines 2019 (see below) to inform this process.

A total of 28 applications were received for the 2022/2023 Heritage Conservation Grants Program. Council noted the successful applicants at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 20 December 2022.

Grant recipients for previous funding rounds are outlined below.

Who may apply?

The Heritage Conservation Grants Program will assist eligible individuals, community groups or organisations who own or manage properties within the Heritage Overlay to maintain and conserve these places for future generations.

You can find the complete list of properties included in the Heritage Overlay across Greater Shepparton in the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay at Clause 43.01 of the Greater Shepparton Planning Scheme.

What funding is available?

Grants of up to $15,000 are available but are generally only for 50% of the cost of works recommended for funding on a $1 to $1 basis.

What type of works might be funded?

The Heritage Conservation Grants Program will seek to support conservation works to buildings, structures, fences, sites, etc. across Greater Shepparton that are not managed by Council.

Eligible works generally do not include routine maintenance works, unless that maintenance ensures the longevity of a place’s significance. To be eligible for funding assistance under the Heritage Conservation Grants Program, applications should satisfy the following:

1. places must be identified as an ‘individually significant’ place and/or a ‘contributory’ place in a Heritage Overlay;
2. owner approval is necessary for an application to proceed through the Heritage Conservation Grants Program; and
3. projects should be for works or for documentation projects, as described below.
   1. works should satisfy the following:
      • be for conservation, restoration and/or reconstruction, including repair and conservation works that contribute to the significance of the place or object; and
      • be visible from a public place or improve a building or structure’s external appearance, with an overall focus on external appearance; and
      • be put forward by the property owner or a lessee who has written consent from the owner and whose term of lease is longer than any completion deadline.
   2. documentation projects should demonstrate a commitment to undertake urgent ‘at risk’ works and should satisfy the following:
      • be for specialist assessments or studies that would result in the future undertaking of eligible works; or
      • be for the preparation of conservation management plans that include a prioritised and costed works action plan.

Works not considered eligible

Works that will not be considered for funding include the following:

• works to Council-managed properties;
• works that have already commenced;
• new additions or extensions;
• routine maintenance considered to be for the general upkeep of any property;
• speculative reconstruction works where there is no evidence of the early appearance of the place; and
• internal alterations to buildings and dwellings where internal controls do not apply.

How do I apply?

Grant recipients