Most councils are eligible for dollar-for-dollar grants to in part fund their Heritage Advisor Service. Heritage Victoria also supports the service by providing a professional development workshop program and an email chat group (Heritagechat) for heritage advisors and council officers.
Councils who are not currently receiving Heritage Advisor Grants for 2008-2010 may be eligible for funding in the 2009-10 financial year.
Enquiries should be directed to Ian Wight, Heritage Victoria at ian.wight@dpcd.vic.gov.au Applications close on the 7 August 2009.
Available Funding
The level of funding will vary from council to council taking account of the likely demand created by the development of places covered by the Heritage Overlay. Councils must match each grant on a dollar for dollar basis. A ceiling of $14,000 will be applied to the Victoria’s Heritage Grants contribution. In order to ensure an adequate level of service, applications for less than $3000 per annum are discouraged.
Eligibility
Heritage advisory services are well established in many metropolitan councils and on this basis emphasis is being placed on funding rural, regional and metropolitan fringe areas. All councils are eligible for funding except those in the inner and middle metropolitan area which have already received ten annual grants. Metropolitan councils with Green Wedge Zones are exempt from the ten grant cut off.
Requirements
Grants are subject to standard conditions that include provision for the:
- Use of the DPCD’s Recommended Consultancy Brief and Statement of Duties as the basis of the operation of the advisory service
- Choice of advisor to be a joint decision of the Council and Heritage Victoria, and
- Provision of an annual report on the total expenditure of the grant and the Council’s contribution
Program background
The Victorian Government’s four year Heritage Strategy Victoria’s Heritage – Strengthening Our Communities identifies as a key direction building strong and inclusive networks and partnerships. As a partnership with local government the heritage advisor service grant program aims to improve local government and community access to professional heritage advice. Grant funding is available to assist councils to:
- Engage an experienced heritage professional to provide heritage advice to owners and custodians of heritage places
- Assess planning applications under the Planning Scheme’s Heritage Overlay
- Advise councils on the care and maintenance of their heritage assets, and
- Promote heritage conservation throughout the municipality