GLEN Innes Severn Council provided funding for repairs and maintenance works on seven heritage buildings from its inaugural local heritage fund, established with the assistance of ther NSW Heritage Office last financial year.

Council received a grant of $8,200 from the NSW Heritage Office, which they were required to match on a dollar for dollar basis. Last financial year the council made $25,000 available for both the heritage fund and Council’s heritage advisor.

Eight applications were received and assessed by Council’s Heritage Advisor Graham Wilson, with one was refused on the basis that it involved demolishing an existing structure and replacing it with new work.

A total of $53, 111.89 was spent on the restoration of the seven heritage buildings. The council’s contribution as part of the fund was $7, 994.10, with the total fund financing $15, 988.20 of the works. The largest project that received funding was the repainting of the National Australia Bank Building in Grey Street, which cost a total of $20,460 and attracted a contribution of $6,500 from thefund.

Other projects were restoration work on a stable block at ‘Lilburn’ Red Range Road ($2000); Restoring the original verandah at the original police lockup at 393 Grey St Glen Innes ($2000); repairs to an external verandah at 169 Church St Glen Innes ($1699.20); replacing a timber and wire fence around the Mt Mitchell cemetery on ‘Tirrana’ Mt Mitchell ($689); repairs and repainting roof of a historic building at 252 Meade St ($1250) and restoration of fenceline and landscaping for ‘Jindabyne’ 85 Meade St Glen Innes ($1850).

Glen Innes Severn Council’s Director of Development and Environmental Services Graham Price said that the aim of the fund was to encourage as much positive work on heritage items in the area as possible.

Council’s general manager Hein Basson said the work was worthwhile. “It is amazing how the repainting of one prominent building in the main street can freshen up the whole street scape. Imagine if another four or five did the same, it would have a huge affect on the appearance of the town,” he said.

Glen Innes Severn Council has requested a contribution of $7, 994.10 from the NSW Heritage Office, to be matched by council on a dollar for dollar basis, to continue the fund this financial year.