Grant Programs: Funding and Support for Heritage Conservation
There are a number of grant programs available for conservation works at historic buildings and sites. These grant programs are administered by the Commonwealth government, the Victorian government, municipal councils, and the private sector through philanthropic trusts like the Ian Potter Foundation Grants Program, ANZ Charitable Trusts, Macquarie Bank Grant Program, Myer Foundation Grants Program, and National Australia Bank Community Link Awards.
A comprehensive guide to Commonwealth Government grant programs is available via GrantsLINK, a new web site devoted to information on Commonwealth Government Programs. The web address is: www.grantslink.gov.au
The following information is a summary of grant programs operating in 2003. In some cases Government departments and agencies are not eligible, but committees of management and other delegated managers may qualify for grants or other assistance.
Commonwealth Government Programs
Environment Australia/Department of Environment and Heritage
Program - Cultural Heritage Projects Program
Program Description: A Commonwealth Government initiative to fund conservation of places of national significance. The program supports projects that either help conserve places of national significance or identify an Indigenous place (or places) for conservation planning and listing where appropriate. Projects are expected to bring benefits to local, regional or state communities, and must be able to be completed within 12 to 18 months
Funding Description: Funding will predominantly be for on-ground works. Individual funding grants ranging from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $250,000.
Eligibility: Applies to open to private owners, legally incorporated not-for-profit organisations and local government authorities. A minimum requirement for the ‘place’ will be listing on the Register of the National Estate or the Interim List, or on a State Government heritage register. Commonwealth, State or Territory Departments, agencies or authorities are not eligible. Projects involving movable objects or museum items are not eligible.
Program - Grants to Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations (GVEHO)
Program description: The program of Grants to Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations (GVEHO) helps eligible community based environment and heritage organisations to value, conserve and protect the natural environment and cultural heritage by assisting these organisations with their administrative costs.
Funding Description: Funds provided through this program may be used to assist with: salaries and salary on-costs for staff of the organisation; office rental; electricity, gas, phone and other similar charges; essential office equipment; staff and volunteer training; photocopying and printing costs; and travel costs incurred on behalf of the organisation. Funding amounts not specified. Applications are accepted all year round and submitted for consideration by the Minister for Environment and Heritage in the last quarter of the financial year.
Eligibility:
An organisation must:
- have a constitution and be incorporated under the law of a State or Territory as an incorporated association, company or cooperative society at the time of lodging the application;
- have the protection and enhancement of the natural environment or cultural heritage as its primary objective;
- be a national, State/Territory or regional body that can demonstrate a substantial degree of community support and representativeness;
- be a non-profit organisation and have audited accounts;
- have either a minimum voting financial membership of 50 (for organisations whose membership consists primarily of individuals); or
- a minimum membership of five affiliated bodies with an aggregate membership of 200 or more (for organisations whose membership consists primarily of other bodies).
Contact:
Heritage Assistance and Projects Section,
Heritage Division
Department of the Environment and Heritage
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Ph: 1800 653 004 or (02) 6274 1111
Fax: (02) 6274 2092
Email: Haps@ea.gov.au
Web site: www.environment.gov.au/heritage/programs
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Program - Saluting Their Service Commemoration Program
Program description: Saluting Their Service is the Federal Government's commemorations program. It aims to highlight the sacrifice and service of Australia's servicemen and women in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations since Federation and to promote appreciation and understanding of the role that those who have served have played in shaping the nation. Saluting Their Service is administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Funding Description: Modest grants for projects, including restoration of monuments, events and activities that meet the aims and objectives of Saluting Their Service. The maximum grant is $4,000. Organisations and communities are expected to contribute towards the project, financially and by providing in-kind support.
Eligibility: Applications are accepted from Community and ex-service organisations, Local government authorities, and other bodies such as museums and schools, depending on the project.
Contact:
Department of Veterans' Affairs:
GPO Box 87A
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Ph: 133 254
Web site: www.dva.gov.au/commem/commac/guidelin/guidelin.htm
Application forms are available from DVA offices, the DVA Forms system on this website and Federal Members of Parliament.
Victorian Government Programs
Heritage Victoria
Program - Heritage Assistance Funds
Program Description: Heritage Assistance Funds provides financial assistance for the conservation of heritage places or objects. They generally apply to new works such as the reinstatement of missing features, repairs and the additional maintenance associated with owning a heritage place. Priority is given to urgent works and repair and projects that are able to demonstrate the value of conservation to the community. The Program has been expanded to include: Financial Assistance for Employment of Project Consultants, a Loan Interest Subsidy Program, and Financial Viability Assessment Grants.
Eligibility: Owners of Places or objects listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, or subject to heritage protection under the relevant planning scheme. DSE owned properties are eligible. Approved works included restoration works, and repairs and maintenance associated with owning a heritage place, rather than extensions, new works or the normal maintenance requirements of ownership of properties.
Program - Public Heritage Program: Capital Works Grants
Program Description: A program to assist government agencies to recognise, maintain and capitalise on heritage assets. It aims to provide a capital works program for public heritage places, interpret and present public places and to enhance domestic and international tourism. It will also assist local government to identify, manage and promote heritage places, and provide seed funding to initiate and launch regional heritage projects. Three separate categories of projects that will be considered are: ongoing use, adaptive reuse, and stabilisation.
Funding Description: Not specified.
Eligibility: Applies to: Victorian government agencies, Victorian local government bodies or not for profit community organisations supported by relevant local government body. Sites or structures proposed for funding must be identified as being of local or State significance and be listed on the Victorian Heritage Register or protected under the local planning scheme. Sites must be owned by the State or local government.
Contact: Public Heritage Program, Heritage Victoria. Address below.
Program - Grants for Heritage Advisers
Program Description: An annual grant program to assist municipal councils to employ heritage advisers.
Funding Description: A maximum of $12,000 is available. Assistance is based on a dollar for dollar contribution.
Eligibility: Applies to Councils with heritage controls in their planning scheme or which have amendments on exhibition to include heritage controls in their planning schemes.
Contact: Apply to Heritage Victoria on the standard application form and submit by 30 June each year. Address below.
Program - Local Heritage Studies
Program Description: An ongoing program to support the preparation of local heritage studies in order to support municipal planning schemes/controls.
Preference may be given to:
- Completion of Stage Two heritage studies for municipalities that are currently completing Stage One of the heritage study process.
- Studies in non-metropolitan municipalities.
- Comprehensive municipal wide heritage studies for local government areas that have not been previously surveyed.
- Studies that fill geographic gaps created by council amalgamations provided that previous studies have been implemented.
- Studies for areas which are experiencing major redevelopment pressures.
- Regional studies which may be co-operative ventures between adjacent councils.
Funding Description: Not specified.
Eligibility: To be eligible for assistance, the Council must make a financial contribution to the exercise. Preference may be given to those Councils who have organised additional funding through other sources or are making a major financial commitment on their own part.
Contact:
Heritage Victoria,
Level 22, Nauru House
80 Collins Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9655 6519
Web site: www.heritage.vic.gov.au
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Program Name: Crown Land Reserves Improvement Program
Program Description: The Crown Land Reserves Improvement Program provides an opportunity for selected Crown Reserve Committees to undertake works that will add value to the reserves and increase their benefit to local, regional and statewide communities. The Objectives of the Program are: to improve the community benefits of Crown land reserves; to protect and enhance the natural values of Crown land reserves; and to encourage a planned approach to the management and development of Crown land reserves.
Funding Description: Grants of up to $50,000, although allocations will generally be limited to less than $50,000. Generally matching funds provided i.e.: $1 for $1 basis, although some exceptions may be made. The Program is restricted to projects on Crown land, and Committees of Management empowered to manage Crown land,
Eligibility: Certain projects are ineligible, including caravan park improvements, routine maintenance, purchase of land, operating costs, salaries, administrative costs, projects covered by other funding programs, projects managed by Victorian Government agencies managing Crown land reserves.
Contact: Crown Land Reserves Improvement Program Manager, Land Victoria at respective regional offices, Department of Sustainability and Environment. No applications will be accepted at present.
Parks Victoria
Program - Community Grants Program
Program description: The Parks Victoria Community Grants Program aims to:
- Help local groups to deliver projects which protect and enhance the natural, cultural and heritage values of Victoria's parks and reserves;
- Provide diverse recreational, educational, cultural and tourism opportunities across Victoria;
- Facilitate the involvement of the wider multicultural community in environmental and recreational projects; and
- Assist Parks Victoria to gain a better understanding of the recreational needs and environmental perspectives of Victoria's culturally and linguistically diverse commmunities.
The Community Grants Program provides two types of Grants:
Parks Victoria Volunteer Group Grants
Parks Victoria Volunteer Group Grants are available to Community Groups who wish to undertake projects on Parks Victoria managed estate. Groups will need to work in close conjunction with local Parks Victoria staff in order to develop and implement projects. For further information or to obtain an Application Form please contact your local Parks Victoria office. Most successful projects are in the range of $1,000 to $10,000.
Start up Grants
Small grants to enable community groups to cover the costs of establishment, e.g. Start-Up Grants are available to provide fincancial assistance to newly forming community groups working to improve public parks or reserves (both marine and terrestrial) managed by Parks Victoria to become formal incorporated groups. Funding can be provided for establishment costs such as incorporation, leaflet printing and letterhead production. Start-Up Grant Application forms are available by contacting your local Parks Victoria office. A one off grant of $500 is available.
Eligible organisations are Volunteer groups undertaking activities that contribute to the conservation, enjoyment and understanding of marine and terrestrial parks and reserves managed by Parks Victoria. Start-Up Grants are available at any time of the year.
Contact:
For further information contact your local Parks Victoria office on 13 19 63 or visit the Parks Victoria web site to download application forms and guidelines.
Department of Infrastructure
Program - Pride of Place 2002/04
Program description: Pride of Place (POP) is a new $8 million urban design grants program for Victoria, staged over two financial years - 2002 to 2004. Grants for eligible projects are provided to councils or alpine resort management boards. The new program follows the successful 1999-2002 $9 million program. A program to assist metropolitan, regional and rural councils to work in partnership with their communities to create vital, economically sustainable, attractive and safe local activity centres. The Program encourages excellence in urban design, building on local character and heritage, attracting further investment and activity and contributing to a greater sense of local pride. The Program assists councils to plan strategically by developing urban design frameworks in consultation with the community before undertaking capital works.
Funding description: Not specified.
Eligibility: Funding is available to Councils, Boards of Management appointed under the Alpine Resorts (Management) Act, and Partnerships between councils and other organisations (community groups, businesses).
Contact:
Urban Design Unit
Department of Infrastructure
PO Box 2797Y
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Ph: (03) 9655 6482
Web site: www.doi.vic.gov.au
The closing date for applications is Friday 21 March 2003: For further information, contact the nearest regional office nearest via the Regional focus page.
Department for Victorian Communities
Program - Community Support Funding
Program description: The Community Support Fund distributes grants in several key areas: community support (prevention of compulsive gambling, treatment for drug addiction, family crisis), youth support, tourism, sport and recreation, the arts and other programs or purposes advancing the community.
Funding Description: There are two new areas of funding: Community Building, and Broader Community Benefit. Funding will comprise no more than 50% of the project cost.
Eligibility: The Program generally applies to local Government Authorities and not for profit, incorporated organisations.
Eligible projects are:
- Programs that demonstrate a substantial benefit to the Community,
- Programs/projects of lasting significance,
- Programs/projects where there is a substantial financial commitment from non government sources,
- Programs or projects that will not require ongoing government funding when support from the Fund ceases.
Applications accepted all year round.
Contact:
The Director
Community Support Fund
Department of Victorian Communities
1 Treasury Place
MELBOURNE VIC 3002
Ph: (03) 9651 0071
Fax: (03) 9651 0098
Email: csf@dpc.vic.gov.au
Web site: www.dpc.vic.gov.au/csf
Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development
Program - Regional Infrastructure Development Fund
Program description: The Regional Infrastructure Development Fund was established in 1999 and will provide $180 million for capital works
in regional communities to:
- support new industry development
- link transport infrastructure
- improve tourism facilities
- better link regional Victoria to new opportunities in education and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure.
Funding description: Not specified
Eligibility: Applications will be considered from councils, state Government, regional infrastructure providers, regional organisations, business groups, educational
institutions and the private sector located in regional Victoria.
Contact: Contact Office of Rural Communities at various regional locations, or Victorian Business Centres at various locations for more information or:
Project Manager
Regional Infrastructure Development Fund
Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development
Level 12, 55 Collins Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Melbourne Ph: 9651 9138
Outside Melbourne Ph: Free Call 1800 817 059
Fax: 9651 9360
Email: RIDF@iird.vic.gov.au
Web site: www.business.vic.gov.au/ridf
Department of Human Services, Public Health Division
Program - Cemeteries and Crematoria Program Grants
Program description: Funding assistance for cemeteries maintenance. Small grants available for cemeteries maintenance projects, provided to Cemetery Trusts and Community groups.
Funding description: Small grants, e.g. in the order of $1,000 - $5,000.
Contact:
Cemeteries and Crematoria Program
Department of Humans Services
555 Collins Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000.
Ph: 03 9637 4158
Local Government
Municipal Councils (various)
Program - Local heritage funding programs
Program description: At least a dozen municipalities in Victoria administer their own local heritage funding programs.
Funding description: Generally assistance takes the form of low-interest loans from a central revolving fund.
Eligibility: Applies to owners of buildings/places protected under local planning controls in the following municipalities:
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Contact:
Contact respective municipal councils for more information.