Council grants help conserve historic buildings

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Published: 20th October 2021

Kent street grant recipient

Repointing of St Paul’s Church Bell tower and repairs to the Hotel Carlton awning are two of nine projects that will receive funding under the 2021/2022 round of the Fraser Coast Heritage and Character Incentive Scheme.

The scheme was set up by the Fraser Coast Regional Council in 2020 to encourage the conservation and enhancement of the heritage value and character of streetscapes across the region.

The grant works as a co-contribution scheme where Council matches the applicant dollar for dollar, up to a maximum of $10,000.

The applications are assessed by the Heritage Advisory Committee.

“In line with the committee’s recommendations, Council will invest $66,000 in projects to enhance and preserve historic buildings across the region,” Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said.

The projects include:

271 Kent Street, Maryborough, engineering to replace tie-rods to over-street awning, $825;
St Paul’s Bell Tower, Maryborough, repointing section of tower, $8,332.50;
Hotel Carlton, Maryborough, awning repair, $10,000;
St Matthew’s Church, Howard, external painting, $10,000;
170 Bazaar Street, Maryborough, painting façade $10,000;
Francis Hotel, 310 Kent Street, Maryborough, replacement gutter and fascia, $3,003;
233 Adelaide Street, Maryborough, upper storey window replacement, $10,000;
The Big Block, 372 Kent Street, Maryborough, repaint façade above awning, $4,000, and;
Woodstock House, 327 Kent Street, Maryborough, security fences, $10,000.

This is the second year and third round of the heritage grants and to date, Council has contributed almost $81,000 towards projects valued at $220,000.

The value of projects in the current round is about $160,000.

“The works covered by the scheme include conservation or restoration projects, painting, urgent remedial works, reversing unsympathetic alterations and preparing Conservation Management Plans to support development applications,” Cr Seymour said.

In addition to the Grants scheme, Council has a free Heritage Advisory Service, to assist building owners to restore, conserve and protect their historic buildings.

“The proposed works will help preserve the building’s traditional fabric and will make a positive contribution to our historic streetscape.

“The Fraser Coast is steeped in history and we should do everything we can to preserve it.”