Support for heritage works continues

Wednesday 21 July, 2021

Residents looking to do some renovation or restoration works can now apply for assistance as part of the Heritage Assistance Fund.

The fund is an annual local grant scheme that assists with the partial funding of heritage conservation and restoration works across the region.

Tamworth Region Councillor Juanita Wilson, who is also Chair of the Heritage Working Group said that businesses, families and community groups from across the region have all made use of the fund.

“By maintaining these heritage buildings in these towns. We are saying that this is important to us as we want to look after our heritage into the future, and you can be a part of this.”

“Applications have been extended to early September to allow applicants enough time get a quote to support their application,” said Cr Wilson.  

Each application is assessed based on the type of work proposed, importance of the work to the conservation of the property and the total cost of the work.

The fund is supported by Tamworth Regional Council and the NSW Government, with a total of $44,000 available in the fund.

Previous grant recipients, Robert and Margaret O’Brien, who own The Strand (formerly Shearers Arcade), said that they are grateful the support of Council over the years.   “We moved here in the late eighties, were never offered any free meal tickets to come to Tamworth, but we were offered support, which is a part of the reason why we wanted to invest in Tamworth.”

Successful applicants will be entered in Tamworth Regional Heritage Awards, which will be held next year. Work will need to have been completed by 22 April, 2022.