Funding for the Wollongong Heritage Grants Program finalised

Council has allocated funding for the successful applicants of the Wollongong Heritage Grants program 2020/2021 and will support 11 new eligible heritage projects across Wollongong.

The Wollongong Heritage Grants program supports property owners with the maintenance and conservation of significant local heritage items. This year’s allocation will support the Berkeley Pioneer Cemetery Group’s headstone conservation works, roof repairs on Dobinson’s Store at Mt Kembla and the restoration of the entry to Woonona/Bulli School of Arts.

Wollongong City Acting Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown said that the program is a great initiative that works towards recognising and celebrating our community’s heritage as set out in Council’s Our Wollongong 2028 strategic plan.

“The Wollongong Heritage Grants program has been operating for over 20 years and during this time it has supported many worthwhile projects across the community.

“In 2019, Council doubled the funding allocation to the Local Heritage Grant Fund from $30,000 to $60,000 which has enabled Council to support a larger number of projects and those with a higher value.”

The Wollongong Heritage Grants Program is assessed by the Wollongong Heritage Reference Group and successful applicants are chosen based on the funding guidelines.

“This year, a total of 11 applicants out of 12 were deemed eligible for the grants program and have a combined value of $142,000. The funding agreements for these successful applicants has now been finalised and some of the new projects have already starting work,” she said.

The Wollongong Heritage Grants program received an additional $5,500 in supplementary funding from the State Government Heritage Fund.

The Financial Assistance Policy requires the funding allocation to be reported to Council for Council’s information.