January 14, 2015
Toowoomba Regional Council is inviting the owners of heritage buildings in Yarraman to apply for assistance under Council’s Heritage Incentives Scheme.
The scheme matches $1 from Council against every $3 spent by the buildings’ owners.
TRC Planning and Development portfolio spokesman Cr Chris Tait said six heritage buildings around the Toowoomba CBD were currently undergoing exterior upgrades under the scheme.
However, assistance was also available for buildings in Clifton, Crows Nest, Goombungee, Millmerran, Oakey, Pittsworth and Yarraman.
“Council recognises there is considerable community interest in the retention and conservation of privately owned heritage buildings in the CBD and this policy was put in place to provide support and financial assistance to help achieve that,” cr Tait said.
The scheme provides grants for external works on heritage places that visually improves the appearance of buildings and their contribution in commercial centres.
“The scheme is open to local and state-listed heritage properties,” Cr Tait said.
Cr Tait said works that were eligible for funding included:
- Exterior works to places that contribute to the streetscape;
- Repainting the place in its original colour scheme or a pre-approved equivalent;
- Reinstatement of lost features important to the character of the place (ie. verandahs, window treatments etc);
- Urgent remedial works or stabilisation of endangered fabric;
- Removal of unsympathetic additions or features, including advertising signs;
- Other works to the exterior of the place that contributes positively to the streetscape or public realm.
Cr Tait called on businesses interested in applying for the CBD Heritage Incentives Scheme to contact Council on 13-18-72.
