Funds for heritage building improvements

Tamworth Regional Council Heritage Working Group chair Juanita Wilson today encouraged owners of buildings located in commercial precincts across the region to seek funding to enhance their heritage features when she launched the 2019-20 Heritage Assistance Fund.

The fund is a Council initiative designed to assist owners of historically significant properties to undertake improvements to their buildings. 

"I encourage owners of buildings in our business precincts to seek funds this year," she said. "There are many shopfronts with heritage value which could benefit from a facelift to reinstate or enhance their heritage features – it can really improve the look of the whole streetscape.

"Next time you are in your town’s main street, take a look skyward to see for yourself.''

Cr Wilson is also hoping rural property owners and those who have property in high profile positions on key local roadways may seek funding.

A total of $41,000 is available through the fund this year to provide dollar-for-dollar grants to individual owners interested in improving the physical appearance of their buildings.   Works that may be funded include the external painting of a building or the repair or replacement of certain features of an item (such as a new verandah, roof or fence) on either residential or commercial buildings. 

The Heritage Division of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage contributes $6,500 to the fund each year with the remainder allocated through Council’s budget.

Tamworth Regional Council is one of only a few local government areas in NSW to have a funding program of this type.

Applications for the 2019-20 Heritage Assistance Fund close on Thursday 19 September, 2019. The application form and more information is available on Council's website 

All applications are assessed by Council’s Heritage Working Group. Projects must be completed by Friday 24 April, 2020, to be eligible for funding.

Successful applicants will be eligible to be nominated for the Tamworth Regional Biennial Heritage Awards in 2020.