Deadline: 20-Aug-21
Applications are now open for the Geelong Heritage Grants Program to assist owners in conserving heritage buildings within the Greater Geelong region that contribute to the visual character of the city’s streetscapes and public space and/or provide community amenity.
Objectives
The objectives of these grants are:
- to enhance the appearance and grandeur of heritage buildings through appropriate restoration and reconstruction of exterior heritage features to a significant period of the building’s history.
- to enhance the visual quality of the city’s streetscapes and public spaces.
- support property owners in delivering conservation work beyond routine maintenance.
- encourage heritage restoration projects which have been identified through heritage studies and/or other evidence as beneficial to the city’s streetscapes and public space.
- celebrate; and raise the awareness and appreciation of their heritage
Priorities
Their priority is to support eligible applicants to undertake projects that involve:
- major conservation works or repairs to key facades or street frontages of the building.
- removal of streetfront additions or alterations that are unsympathetic to the historical character or style of the building.
- reinstatement of streetfront heritage features that have been altered or removed over time, including verandahs and balconies, parapet details, shopfronts, windows and entranceways, historic signage, etc.
Funding Information
- There is a total grant pool of $100,000
- Grants of up to:
- $70,000 for projects that relate to a building or streetscape with identified historic value
- $30,000 for projects that are visible to the public and focus on presentation to a street or public space
- $10,000 for feasibility and investigation projects to provide technical, planning, project scoping advice for future restoration projects
What won’t be funded?
- The following will not be funded through the City’s grants:
- projects or activities that occur outside the City of Greater Geelong municipality (where activities also have outcome/s that occur outside the Municipality, only the portion taking place within Greater Geelong is eligible).
- cost of Council services where fees are normally charged e.g. Council rates; waste removal; building or planning permit fees; parking fees, etc.
- staffing costs, although they will consider funding if the costs are related to the specific proposed project – such as costs to engage an external facilitator, consultant or contractor – if they can supply an ABN and written quote.
- requests for retrospective purchases or projects, or where activities commence prior to submission of application.
- fundraising events, prizes, gifts, awards or sponsorship costs, such as trophies, medals, money and vouchers.
- political, gaming or gambling activities.
- activities that could be considered core business i.e. those associated with the application organisation’s normal or dayto-day operation (including regular projects and activities, administration, staffing costs, insurances and permits).
- projects, activities or events that could potentially commit Council funding on an ongoing basis.
- projects, activities or events that have already received support from the City’s grants.
- projects, activities or events that better meet the criteria of another City of Greater Geelong grant or program.
- Additionally, the following items, activities or projects will not be funded by the Geelong Heritage Grants
- projects associated with works that do not seek to restore original historic fabric associated with the building (i.e. painting a building in a colour that historically never existed, installing a verandah on a building that historically did not have a verandah, installing metal windows on a building that historically had timber windows, etc.).
- interior works or works which are not easily visible to the public.
- works which have been required by a building or emergency order issued by the City of Greater Geelong.
- projects for properties where monies are owing to the City of Greater Geelong.
- works that have been completed or have commenced at the time of submitting the application.
- works that would generally be considered routine maintenance on most buildings (heritage or otherwise). This exclusion may be waived at the discretion of Council, in exceptional circumstances such as:
- where the cost or complexity of such work is far greater than the owner of an equivalent non-heritage property would face and/or
- the nature of the building or organisation limits the capacity to provide money for essential maintenance works.
Eligibility Criteria
- The City’s grants are primarily offered to not-for-profit community organisations with some exceptions to suit the objectives of individual grants.
- All applicants must possess an Australian Business Number (ABN) or provide a Statement by a Supplier Form available from the ATO website.
- Applicants must have fully acquitted previous successful (funded) applications as required and have no outstanding debts or arrears to the City of Greater Geelong.
For more information, visit https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/grants/article/item/8d1e280c8eb8733.aspx