Annual funding for heritage conservation to double under Coalition

28/11/96

Annual funding for heritage conservation in Western Australia will double in the Coalition Government's second term in office.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said the implementation of a new heritage grants program would see $4 million allocated over the next four years.

Mr Lewis said the funding program would encourage local governments and communities to acquire, restore and maintain heritage buildings.

"This is a significant commitment which demonstrates the Coalition Government's recognition of the importance of heritage conservation, not only for its historic significance, but also for its capacity to benefit the community environmentally and economically," he said.

The Coalition Government will continue to support the Lotteries Commission Heritage Program, which commenced in 1994 and has been the major source of the $3.2 million in heritage funding distributed over the past three years.

Mr Lewis said future generations of Western Australians would benefit most from increased funding.

"Historic sites and places which have played an important role in the development of a local community will be preserved and create a link to the past which can never be replaced," he said.

The Minister said 18 per cent of the properties currently listed on the State Register of Heritage Places were owned by local governments throughout WA.

"Local authorities have displayed a significant commitment to the identification of heritage with local values," he said.

"A total of 54 local authorities have now completed a Municipal Inventory of buildings of local heritage significance and a further 86 authorities have commenced work on the document."

The Coalition Heritage Policy includes a number of other important commitments:

·       development of a Community Program to encourage youth to take part in the restoration of heritage buildings and grounds;

·       amend State Heritage Laws where appropriate following the review of the Heritage Act of Western Australia 1990; and -

·       develop a greater understanding of heritage issues within the community to achieve a better appreciation of heritage by individual land and property owners.

Mr Lewis said the package would complement the Coalition Government's achievements in heritage during its first term of office which included:

·       the addition of more than 190 sites to the State Register of Heritage Places giving each the protection of the State's heritage laws; and -

·       a review of the operation of the State's heritage laws which revealed a need for a number of changes to ensure they are user-friendly and increase public understanding of heritage conservation.

Media contact : Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377 or 480 5125(pgr).