Funding available for heritage building enhancements
Published on 24 July 2018
24 July 2018
Funding is now available through the Whanganui Heritage Grants Scheme for building owners to enhance heritage buildings in the town centre.
The fund provides financial assistance for projects that promote and conserve local heritage, with a total of $150,000 available over the 2018/19 financial year.
The fund preserves the heritage of private buildings and can be used for restoring original features, painting with heritage colours, external lighting, reinstating parapets and other historic elements.
The works must be visible from a public place and offer tangible heritage benefits. Eligible properties must be in the town centre and designated as a significant heritage building.
Cr Helen Craig says Whanganui’s comprehensive preserved heritage town centre is unique in New Zealand and is a growing focus for tourism.
“Whanganui attracts a huge amount of interest in its heritage story from academics to government representatives who want to support and retain New Zealand’s unique heritage inventory.
“In other, larger cities where this fund is provided, results have been excellent with many owners using the fund as a trigger to invest in more work to preserve and protect their buildings.
“I encourage interested people to get in touch with the Council’s planning team who can work through the application with them and put them in touch with the well-developed network of people in Whanganui with heritage experience,” says Cr Craig.
The fund has been made available as part of the Council’s Town Centre Regeneration Strategy.
Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis up to the value of 50% of the works. For projects valued at less than $15,000, 80% toward the cost of works may be considered.
The current funding round closes on 30 September 2018 and will open again in November 2018. Applications will require an estimate of costs and building and resource consents, if needed, must be obtained before a funding application is made.
Other funding is also available for owners of heritage buildings, such as the Government’s Heritage Equip Fund, which may fund up to 50% of earthquake strengthening costs and the National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund for Heritage New Zealand listed buildings.
For more information about eligibility and to download the application form for the fund, visit our website or contact Leayne Huirua on 349 3116.
Whanganui Heritage Grants Scheme
Heritage Equip Fund
National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund