Heritage Grants Program
The Heritage Grants Program provides assistance to private owners of State-Registered places to undertake urgent conservation works.
Grants of up to $100,000 are available through an annual competitive application process.
The 2011-2012 Heritage Grants Program saw 14 regional and seven metropolitan projects share in $1million worth of funding. This will deliver more than $2million in conservation works. Read more about the successful projects and the Heritage Minister's media release.
Who is eligible for grants
All persons and corporations are eligible except State Government instrumentalities, local governments and those not-for-profit corporations that are eligible for Lotterywest funding. Religious institutions that demonstrate a conscientious objection to receiving funds from Lotterywest may apply.
To be eligible for funding, owners are required to have a current building insurance policy in place (unless the owner can demonstrate insurance cannot be obtained).
Owner’s contribution
Owners are required to contribute at least 50% of the total value of the project.
A reduced contribution may be considered if the owners can demonstrate hardship, however, owners will need to provide full financial disclosure and evidence that they have tried all avenues to source their contribution.
Generally in-kind contribution, such as painting, will not be considered as part of the owner's contribution. Exceptions may be made where the in-kind contribution is tangible works associated with the project, for example, work undertaken by a qualified tradesman.
Assessment of Applications
Each application will be assessed on its merits against the approved criteria and priorities.
Priority will be given to:
· Urgent conservation works to stabilise the place.
· Essential conservation works to protect significant built fabric.
· Projects that demonstrate planning for the future.
· Funding equity and cost effectiveness.
A lower priority will be given to:
· Owners with previous grants, which are not completed or acquitted.
· Owners who have purchased a State-Registered place within the past 3 years (however a grant may be considered in exceptional circumstances where the future of an "at risk" place is secured).
Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
· Does the work constitute essential conservation, preservation and/or stabilisation of the significant built fabric?
· Are works consistent with the principles of the The Burra Charter?
· Statement of Significance.
· The documentation is to a standard that clearly illustrates the work proposed.
· Future management of the place (proposed schedule of works, maintenance, financial management).
The Heritage Council will make recommendations to the Minister for Heritage for approval.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications as soon as possible after the Minister for Heritage approves the recommendations.
Successful Applicants
Successful applicants will be required to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Heritage Council of WA.
A Heritage Consultant is required to oversee the project and to sign off on the completed works.
Where there is no Conservation Management Plan in place, a Conservation Management Strategy will be commissioned prior to the formal Grant Agreement being entered into, to ensure that the most urgent work is undertaken.
A Conservation Management Strategy will provide a condition report, zones of significance, maintenance schedule and a conservation works schedule.
The program will be administered by the Heritage Council of WA in accordance with the requirements of the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990 and other statutory requirements.
If you are unsure of the heritage status of the place, please search the Places Database.
The Office of Heritage has also compiled a Directory of Heritage Consultants to assist property owners seek a specialist with heritage expertise.