Greater Shepparton City Council noted the awarding of more than $80,000 in Heritage Conservation Grants at Tuesday’s Council Meeting.
The Heritage Conservation Grants Program 2021/2022 saw 11 successful applicants awarded their share in funding, totalling $84,577.00, to go towards conservation works at heritage listed sites across the municipality.
The heritage program is an initiative of the Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee. Commencing in 2017, the program promotes conservation works that improve the physical security or appearance of a heritage place, whilst being respectful of the place’s significance.
Mayor, Cr Kim O’Keeffe said the program was well received by the community with Council receiving 22 applications this year.
“Council is extremely pleased to continue this annual funding program to help conserve the rich history we are so lucky to have across our region,” she said.
“The successful projects from previous years have demonstrated consistently positive outcomes, providing benefits for both owners of significant properties and the community.”
In accordance with the Heritage Grants Guidelines 2019, a judging panel was formed to assess each of the applications received and to provide recommendations to Council. The applicants were assessed on several criteria including the significance of the place, the need for works and the community benefit.
The 11 successful applicants included several heritage listed houses in Murchison, Shepparton and Tatura, the Dookie Public Cemetery, St Andrew’s Uniting Church in Mooroopna, a commercial building in Shepparton, the Shepparton Albanian Mosque and the former Prisoner of War Camp 1 at Dhurringile. Cr O’Keeffe congratulated each of the successful applicants and thanked the community for their applications and interest in the program.
“It is fantastic to see how well received Council’s Heritage Conservation Grants Program is each year,” she said.
“Greater Shepparton is home to a wide variety of heritage places of local, regional and international significance owing to its rich history. Our region is notable for the great diversity and variety of cultural heritage places.”
