Living in a Blue Mountains heritage property? Until October 21 this month, funding is available through council and the state government to help with preserving your unique character cottage.
After a break in the program of several years, Blue Mountains Council successfully reinstated the Local Heritage Assistance Fund for the 2019/2020 financial year. During this time, council helped members of the community to maintain and restore their heritage properties with small grants. Council continues the grants in the 2020/2021 year, by matching funding, dollar-for-dollar, with a state government Community Heritage Grant.
"Preserving the unique heritage character of the Blue Mountains is a major priority," said Mayor Mark Greenhill.
"Our history is visible throughout the Mountains and it's important that we encourage the upkeep of these wonderful neighbourhoods and streetscapes. With these small but significant grants, we hope to enable owners of heritage properties to maintain them at their best, or make necessary repairs, especially to their street frontage."
Last year council and the state government together spent $11,000 in the Mountains for small grants for minor conservation works, including roofing and weatherboard repair; reconstruction of traditional timber windows and balustrades; construction and repair of street front elements, including sandstone retaining walls and timber fencing; painting of exteriors, roof sheeting and front fences.
"Visitors and local residents benefit from the enhanced heritage values of our distinctive towns and villages. I encourage eligible property owners to apply," Cr Greenhill said.
This year, priority is being given to works that enhance a building's facade, such as. painting, rendering or specialised cleaning, or to reinstate historic features or fittings, like a door or fence.
Applications for funding (between $500 and $2000) are available now for contributory buildings. These are significant buildings that contribute towards the streetscape values in newly listed Heritage Conservation Areas (previously known as 'Period Housing Areas'). Applications for properties within existing Heritage Conservation Areas will also be considered. Heritage Conservation Areas in the Mountains are listed at https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/developing-land/heritage-places-items-conservation-areas.
Applications close on October 21. Go to: bmcc.nsw.gov.au/LHAF.
