Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity
Are you a NEW or expanding business establishing or relocating into a commercial area of a town within the Ararat Rural City? If yes, then apply for the Ararat Rural City Council Façade Grants Scheme.
The Grant Scheme continues to support our small businesses by transforming our town into a vibrant and welcoming regional hub.
The Ararat Rural City Council, New Business Façade Improvement Grants Scheme is part of Council’s plan to assist businesses from throughout the Shire to improve the appearance of their building façades and encouraging the filling of existing empty properties. The scheme provides a grant from Council on a 2:1 basis up to $10,000 for new or relocating businesses to complete improvements to the building façade.
Scope
All new or expanding business establishing or relocating into a commercial area of a town within the Ararat Rural City. Eligible businesses that operate from a commercial or industrial premises with street frontage would need to either;
- Provide business plans for expansion.
- In the process of relocating to a new commercial premises.
- Relocating from a home-based business.
- Started a new business after June 30 2022.
Works that can be completed as part of the scheme include:
- Painting of the façade.
- Cleaning the existing façade.
- Replacement of doors, windows or glasswork to façade.
- Removal of redundant signage, air conditioning units and hoardings to the façade.
- Minor repair, maintenance or reinstatement of missing elements.
- Minor repairs to existing façade tile or stone accents.
- Minor repairs to structural façade elements and awnings.
- New, repairs and replacements of verandahs.
- Installation of new business signage.
- Installation of outdoor lighting.
- Installation of fixed outdoor heating or cooling.
- Installation of retractable café blinds or awnings.
- Production and Installation of matching external street dividers/ Planter boxes or umbrella sleeves (hospitality specific).
Funding Information
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Businesses can apply on a $2:$1 basis to complete improvements to their façades with the amount capped at $10,000 per business. An example of a business applying to the scheme would be:
- Business – $5,000.
- Council – $10,000.
- Businesses would be able to contribute over the $5,000 amount if they wish to complete more significant works but would still only be eligible for $10,000 from Council.
- If a business only wanted to complete minor works they could apply to the fund for an amount under $10,000.
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An example of this would be:
- Business – $1,000.
- Council – $2,000.
Information to Be Provided With Application
You will need to provide the following documents as part of your application:
- Description of works to be completed as part of the application form.
- A quote for the proposed works.
- Where the application is proposing the painting of a building, the colour palette may need to be provided for approval by Council.
- Photographs of the building’s existing condition will need to be provided including close ups of the affected areas. Photographs will also need to be provided following the completion of the works if the application is successful.
- A planning permit may be required for the proposed works that need to be completed (see application form). The permit process, if required, can run in tandem with this application.
- If your building is heritage listed, you will be required to undertake research to provide Council with evidence including photographs or other documentation. Council may be able to assist with this research or provide information on whether your business is located within a heritage building.
For more information, visit Ararat Rural City Council.
For more information, visit https://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/figs2022