AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

27 November 2006

Help for heritage property owners

Owners of heritage buildings have the opportunity to secure financial help for restoration projects on their properties next year through Auckland City’s built heritage fund.

Applications to the $50,000 council fund are now open and will be accepted until 15 March 2007. Owners of private homes and larger buildings are invited to apply.

The chairperson of the Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee, Councillor Christine Caughey, is calling for heritage property owners to come forward with applications.

“We have a total of $50,000 to offer to private property owners and hope that these grants will encourage people to invest in the restoration and maintenance of historic buildings.

“Auckland has some beautiful heritage properties and the council recognises that it can be financially difficult for owners to keep these buildings in superior condition.

“We’re prepared to help out to ensure that these buildings remain in good condition so that they can be enjoyed and appreciated by the community at large,” Ms Caughey says.

In order to secure a grant from the built heritage fund, applications must meet certain criteria, including:

- buildings must be of heritage significance and scheduled under Auckland City’s district plan

- proposals must enhance heritage significance through essential repairs and maintenance, assistance for conservation plans, assistance with restoration and enhancement of building facades

- funding is for immediate use on projects and will not be issued retrospectively.

Last year there were 12 recipients of built heritage fund grants, including the Auckland Sunday School Union building on Queen Street, the Onehunga Community House in Selwyn Street, and the Courtville Apartments in Parliament Street in the central city.

“I’m proud the council was able to financially support these projects which have seen some grand old buildings returned to their former glory,” Ms Caughey says.

Auckland City heritage officers are available to discuss application criteria and details of a particular site. It is envisaged that a range of smaller projects will be funded with the $50,000 available, but requests for more substantial grants will be considered.

Additional information, guidelines for applications and application forms are available at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/heritage or by calling 379 2020.

Decisions on who will receive a grant will be made by the Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee in May next year.

ENDS

© Scoop Media