Living Heritage Program grants now open

State Liberal Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish is encouraging local councils, community and not-for-profit organisations to apply for the Living Heritage Program Fund. The fund aims to protect and restore Victoria’s heritage sites and buildings and is now open for applications.

Ms McLeish said, “This grant is a great opportunity to ensure local heritage sites in the region are returned to their original glory.”

“We have such a rich history and a number of heritage sites including town and community halls, old school buildings, courthouses, railway stations and sheds and places of worship. It is important to uphold their quality and address necessary works.”

The grant can offer between $20,000 to $200,000 per project to be matched by successful applicants. Repairs will ultimately improve the heritage facilities through structure repairs and maintenance to support the use by community members.

Many heritage sites across Victoria have benefitted where grants have been secured to undertake conservation or structural works. These include $200,000 for the restoration of Whitburgh Cottage in Kilmore, $65,000 to Montsalvat, Eltham for conservation works, and $190,000 to the Former Railway Engine Shed, Echuca for conservation works, $200,000 for structural works at Omeo Justice Precinct, Omeo.

“We need to make sure that locally our significant heritage sites are looked after,” Ms McLeish concludes.

Applications for round six close 26 March 2021. For directions on how to apply visit: heritage.vic.gov.au/grants/living-heritage-program.