Heritage grants boost conservation efforts in the Wheatbelt

5/12/01
The Wheatbelt has been allocated the largest number of grants in the State, with 15 projects receiving a total of $131,900 in the 2001-02 Heritage Grants Program, Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards announced today.
Administered by the Heritage Council of Western Australia, the grants are part of a $1.03million allocation, which will support 63 conservation projects across the State.
Dr Edwards said the average grant allocation was $16,430 and approximately 80 per cent of funds were allocated to regional WA.
In the Wheatbelt, the largest grant recipient was The Arthur Shearing Shed and Quarters, which received $18,000 to replace the roof of the shearing shed.

The Wyening Mission and Winery in Victoria Plains and Old Summer Hill in New Norcia also received $15,000 each for urgent conservation works.
Dr Edwards said the Wyening Mission would use its funds to repair stonework to the wells, winery dam and winemaker's house.
"A structural engineering report is also needed for the site which was built in 1892 to support the Spanish Benedictine mission in Western Australia," she said.
"The mission and winery is associated with the award winning winemaker, August Schwartzbach, the Benedictines and the Aboriginal people who lived at New Norcia.
"Collectively they made an important contribution to the development of the State.
"The mission continues to contribute significantly to the local area through its historic importance and landmark qualities."
Five other grant recipients - St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Moora, the Wagin Town Hall, Cowalla Homestead in Wannerie, Byfield House in Northam and Spurr's Homestead in Jitaring - have earmarked their funds for the creation of conservation plans.
Dr Edwards said the plans would help establish the heritage significance of each place and how this could be retained in future use and development.
"This year's heritage grant recipients embody a significant representation of our State's heritage, with the new funds enabling some very important work to take place," she said.

The heritage grants program assessment committee included members of the Heritage Council, regional areas, the WA Municipal Association and the National Trust.
The next round of the Heritage Grants Program will be advertised in April 2002.
Details of the grants follow:
Conservation Works: