Funds to help heritage

MOUNT GAMBIER ANGLICAN CHURCH BUILDING: Restoration works there will be assisted by Council fund. Pic - supplied.

A TOTAL of $20,000 will be provided to 19 owners of local heritage listed properties through the City of Mount Gambier’s Local Heritage Restoration Fund.

In its 19th year, the fund was established by Council to provide funding towards preservation and restoration works of heritage listed properties in Mount Gambier.

“Council is committed to protecting Mount Gambier’s heritage and assisting heritage property owners to maintain their buildings,” Manager Development Services Tracy Tzioutziouklaris said.

“It is important that local heritage buildings are preserved and Council hopes that providing some financial assistance will help to ensure the character of these buildings is maintained for years to come.”

Council received a total of 24 applications for funding this year with Local Heritage Advisor and Director of Arcuate Architecture, Ian Hamilton, recommending 19 applications be granted funding.

“Each year we invite applications from the owners of 125 local heritage places and the fund continues to be well supported with a strong number of applications and 100 per cent of budgeted funds allocated,” Ms Tzioutziouklaris said.

Ian was recently appointed as the Local Heritage Advisor following a tender process conducted by the Limestone Coast Local Government Association and takes over from former longstanding advisor Richard Woods of Habitable Places.

“Ian has extensive experience working in private practice in both the United Kingdom and Australia for more than 30 years and has a particular interest in heritage repair, reconstruction and conservation, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, conservation management plans, fabric condition reports and sustainable design,” Ms Tzioutziouklaris said.

Mount Gambier residents Michael and Sarah Cutting will receive $2,200 to assist with undertaking restoration works to the exterior of their 1920’s property located in Wallace Street.

“We’re incredibly excited to invest in a bit of Mount Gambier’s history and to pay respect to the heritage of the property,” Ms Cutting said.

“We would love to bring the home back to its former glory outside by repairing the external stonework, verandah, windows and fences so it’s wonderful that council can provide support to undertake these works.”

Another successful applicant is the Anglican Parish of Mount Gambier which will receive $3,800 to assist with repairs to the bell tower, stonework and memorial porch located at its church on Bay Road.

Other works to be undertaken on local heritage properties include repairs and restoration of fencing, replacement of louvres and barges, gutters, repainting and salt damp repairs, and various other external restoration works.