Funding for five historic sites in the Bunbury region

9/11/97

Vital work at five historic sites in the Bunbury region will go ahead with funding from the State Government's Heritage Grants Program, Heritage Minister Graham Kierath announced.

St Mark's Church in Picton, the Lyric Theatre, Chad and Wittys Store, the Yarloop Workshops and the Thomas Little Memorial Hall in Dardanup will receive a total of $47,000 funding from the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

Mr Kierath said almost $1 million had been allocated across the State under the scheme for 76 projects, making a crucial contribution to the preservation of Western Australia's culture.

"The response to the Heritage Grants Program, which was announced in May, has been considerable," he said.

"In all there were 239 applications for grants, requesting some $10 million, demonstrating the high level of need in the community for such a program.

"This program is part of the Government's commitment not only to protecting the State's heritage, but doing it in a way which gives places new life and maintains a valuable community asset."

Under the program, priority has been given to urgent works, to projects which already have a conservation plan in place and where a specific program was in place for future use of the site. Consideration was also given to applicants who were making a contribution to the project.

"The average grant is $13,140 and they range from $1,000 to $81,000. The projects which will get support are all across the State," Mr Kierath said.

"The funding recommendations were made by the Heritage Grants Program Assessment Committee, headed by Mr Gerry Gauntlett of the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

"The grants assessment panel included representatives from local government, regional WA,and the National Trust, as well as people with relevant professional expertise."

Further details on sites to receive funding under the program:

·      the St Mark's Anglican Church in Picton will receive $6,100 to prepare a conservation plan for the church, built in 1842;

·      Lyric Theatre (now Bill Brown Furniture Co) - $7,000 to prepare a conservation plan for the 1905 built theatre;

·      Chad and Wittys (Red Mill Store) - $5,000 to prepare a conservation plan;

·      Thomas Little Memorial Hall, Dardanup - $4,000 to install drainage and soakwells; and -

·      Yarloop Workshops - $25,000 to remove dry rot, replace timber beams and posts and repair broken and leaking box gutter and roofing.

Media contact: Steve Manchee 9481 2133