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This article was published on Friday, 14 July, 2017. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Grants available for Heritage Overlay properties

Greater Shepparton City Council in association with the Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee launched a Heritage Grants Program for the 2017/2018 financial year.

The Heritage 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.

The establishment of a Heritage Grants Program was a recommendation of the Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee and was endorsed by Council at the March 2017 Ordinary Council Meeting.

Director Sustainable Development, Johann Rajaratnam, said “our heritage enriches our community, and its unique character provides a sense of identity and pride”.

“Council already provides a free heritage advisory service to all property owners, land developers, tradespeople in the building industry and owners of buildings in the Heritage Overlay. The Heritage Grants Program will help to secure the future of many of our heritage places and ensure our heritage is preserved for many generations to enjoy,” Mr Rajaratnam stated.

The Heritage Grants Program will seek to support conservation works to shops and public buildings that are not owned by Council or other public bodies and houses across the municipality.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available on a $1 to $1 basis.

Eligible works generally do not include routine maintenance works, unless that maintenance ensures the longevity of a place’s significance. Eligible works may include the following:

works to restore missing physical elements, including verandah, parapet, awning and fence reinstatements (based on historic evidence); and
works that ensure the physical security and improve longevity of significant elements of the place such as re-stumping, re-roofing, and replacing guttering, windows and doors, etc.

Council has adopted the Heritage Grants Guidelines 2017 to inform this process.

If you have any queries regarding the Heritage Grants Program please contact Council’s Building and Planning Department on 03 5832 9730.