A new grants scheme to support Tasmania's valuable heritage buildings has been announced.
Minister for Heritage, Nick Duigan said a total of $1 million is available for round one of the Built Heritage Grants Scheme.
"Tasmania is known for its rich and diverse built heritage. These grants aim to ensure the State's built heritage places are valued, maintained, and leveraged for the benefit of Tasmania and Tasmanians," Minister Duigan said.
The funding is being offered through two programs – the first being the Conservation Program.
"The Conservation Program offers small grants up to $20,000 for conservation works to Tasmanian heritage listed properties that will ensure their historical significance is retained," Minister Duigan said.
"This program will support owners of heritage properties to conserve and restore these places, ensuring their value is maintained for future generations.
"Importantly, the investment through these grants recognises the contribution made by owners of heritage properties in conserving and maintaining our built heritage, and the wider contribution this makes to Tasmania's lifestyle and brand."
The Activation Program offers larger grants up to $200,000 to supporting heritage property owners, skills development organisations, and the community, to reinvigorate heritage places.
"The aim of the larger grants is to encourage adaptive re-use of our heritage buildings. We want it to emphasis growing visitor demand to Tasmania, developing the State's skilled built heritage conservation workforce, as well as providing opportunities for the wider community to engage with, and celebrate, our unique built heritage," Minister Duigan said.
The guidelines for the grants have been released.
The grants scheme is part of the Rockliff Liberal Government's $4.5 million investment over three years to do what matters to Tasmanians and support the State's heritage sector to revitalise our unique heritage properties.
Applications for the scheme can be made from 15 January 2024.
Further grant rounds will be offered in 2024-25 and 2025-26.
The Built Heritage Grants Scheme guidelines are available here: www.heritage.tas.gov.au
