Royal WA Institute for Blind granted remission of rates under Heritage Act

14/1/95

The heritage-listed headquarters of the Royal Western Australian Institute for the Blind will be the first to benefit from provisions of the Heritage of Western Australia Act, which give relief from certain State Government charges.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said today the Institute had been granted remissions of up to $29,000 in water and sewerage rates over the next four years to release funds for urgent repairs to its administration building in Maylands.

It is the first remission given by the Government under Section 36 of the Heritage Act which allows it to waive State taxes and charges as an incentive to conserve heritage properties.

Mr Lewis said this demonstrated how the Act could help property owners who needed to carry out vital conservation work on valued buildings.

Money which would have been spent on water and sewerage rates will now be used to restore the exterior masonry on the Whatley Crescent building and allow the Institute to repaint the landmark in time for its centennial celebrations in March this year.

The new colour scheme for the building requires the approval of the Heritage Council of Western Australia and the funds must be used for the agreed purpose within 12 months of the rates waiver coming into effect.

Mr Lewis said the building was one of a limited number of classic post-war art deco buildings left in Perth.

"The historical importance of the building and recent international interest in it as an almost unique piece of industrial architecture reinforces the need for urgent restoration," he said.

The Minister said it was also important the building be preserved to ensure the continuation of the Institute's valuable work with the disabled.

"The facility provides much needed training and employment opportunities for people with impaired vision and other disabilities," he said.

Mr Lewis said the Institute had also been successful in its application for funds from the Lotteries Commission's Heritage Program.

A total of more than $1.3 million had been allocated in the first round of the program which aimed to assist community based projects where the emphasis was on retaining, enhancing or conserving places of heritage significance.

Mr Lewis said the Institute had been granted $4,450 for the purpose of preparing a conservation plan for its buildings.

He said the two funding packages could be seen as an early birthday present for the Institute's centenary celebrations and as an investment in the conservation of WA's heritage.

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595 / 221 1377 or 015 422 054