Grant to help preserve heritage

Published on 11 August 2021

Owners of heritage buildings in Hobart can access a new grant designed to support preservation of the city’s built heritage.

The City of Hobart’s Heritage Grant is funded through a long-term investment fund established in the 1960s to preserve and restore Hobart’s historic buildings.

“Tasmania has the highest density of heritage-listed buildings of any Australian state and many excellent examples are here in Hobart,” said Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, who chairs the City’s Heritage Account Special Committee.

“These buildings contribute to our city’s identity and character but they can be expensive to maintain. Through the Heritage Grant, we’re making assistance available to help with the upkeep of heritage buildings through repairs and other works that preserve the heritage value of the building.”

The National Trust Preservation Fund was established in 1966 by the City of Hobart and the state government to fund restoration of heritage buildings within the city. Under an Act introduced to wind up the fund in 1999, the contents were split evenly between the City and the state government.

“These Heritage Grants are fully funded through the City’s Heritage Account, which means they are not using ratepayer funds,” Cr Reynolds said. “The account serves as an investment in Hobart’s built history, to ensure it can be appreciated by generations to come.

“It’s been several years since we’ve run a grants round through this fund, so I hope property owners will take this opportunity to bring forward important preservation works for the benefit of our city.”

Building owners are encouraged to nominate projects that use traditional techniques and methods such as lime mortar and timber joinery, or which reuse and retain original materials.

“Preserving these techniques are just as important as preserving the buildings themselves,” Cr Reynolds said.

Educational and interpretation projects that highlight the heritage value of the property are also eligible under the funding guidelines.

The grant is open to owners of properties within the City of Hobart local government area that are listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register or as a place of cultural significance within the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme 2015 or Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme 1997.

Cash support is available for up to one-third of the total project cost, to a maximum of $10,000.

Applications for the grant are now open, closing at 5pm on Monday 18 October. More information at hobartcity.com.au/heritagegrant.