Geelong Heritage Grants Program in Australia

Deadline: 21-Aug-23

The City of Greater Geelong has launched 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:
  • major conservation works or repairs to key facades or street frontages of the building
  • removal of street front additions or alterations that are unsympathetic to the historical character or style of the building
  • reinstatement of street front heritage features that have been altered or removed over time, including verandahs and balconies, parapet details, shopfronts, windows and entranceways, historic signage, etc.
  • heritage tourism works that will increase visitation and provide indirect benefits to the local community.

Categories

• Conservation works
• Planning.

Funding Information

• There is a total grant pool of $90,000.
• Conservation works grants up to $40,000 and planning grants up to $10,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• 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 street front additions or alterations that are unsympathetic to the historical character or style of the building
  • reinstatement of street front heritage features that have been altered or removed over time, including verandahs and balconies, parapet details, shopfronts, windows and entranceways, historic signage, etc.
  • heritage tourism works that will increase visitation and provide indirect benefits to the local community
• Your grant activity must take place within the City of Greater Geelong.
• The following is a list of ideas and examples that will be considered for funding. It is a guide only and the list should not be considered exhaustive.
  • Category 1 – Conservation Works
    • Funding up to 70% of eligible projects costs to a maximum of $40,000.
    • In this category they are seeking to support projects relating to a building or streetscape with identified historic value. Project ideas include:
      • rejuvenation of building facade
      • replacing non-heritage building elements with heritage building elements
      • reinstating verandahs and balconies
      • window repairs or replacement
      • reinstating heritage elements that have been removed
      • repairing finials, chimneys, gables, gargoyles, or leadlight features
    • Eligible projects costs include:
      • heritage specialist trades
      • general trades
      • materials
      • painting
  • Category 2 – Planning
    • Funding up to 100% of eligible projects costs to a maximum of $10,000.
    • In this category they are seeking to support project feasibility and investigation of works directly relevant to conserving or interpreting the heritage significance of the building. Suggested ideas include:
      • planning – conservation works and sustainable use options
      • project scoping including technical investigations and design
      • environmental testing (e.g., hazardous materials).

What won’t be funded?

• Geelong Heritage Grants
  • The following items, activities or projects will not be funded by the Geelong Heritage Grants.
    • building conservation works that involve substantial change to the original design and significant fabric, for instance painting a building in a colour that historically never existed, installing a verandah on a building that historically did not have a verandah, and installing metal windows on a building that historically had timber windows
    • 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 (including rates) are owing to the City of Greater Geelong
    • works that have been completed or have commenced prior to notification of the funding outcome
    • 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 nonheritage property would face and/or
      • the nature of the building or organisation limits the capacity to provide money for essential maintenance works
• City’s Community Grants
  • In general, the following items, activities or projects will not be funded by any of the City’s Community 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 permits or approvals, parking etc.
    • existing staff and salary costs (funds to cover costs for additional staffing or contractors, that relate directly to the grant application, will be considered)
    • requests for retrospective purchases or projects, or where activities commence prior to notification of funding outcome
    • fundraising events where the main aim is to directly fundraise for a charity
    • prizes, gifts, awards or sponsorship costs, such as trophies, medals, money and vouchers
    • political, gaming or gambling activities
    • activities and expenditure that can be considered core business e.g., ongoing projects and activities, administration overheads such as utilities, insurances and fees
    • additional funding for previously successful applications
    • projects, activities or events that could potentially commit the City to funding on an ongoing basis
    • projects, activities or events that better meet the criteria of another City of Greater Geelong grant or program.

For more information, visit Geelong Heritage Grants Program.