Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: $25,000
- Application opened: 4 November 2024
- Application closed: 30 January 2025, 10:00 am
Program objective
The NSW Government is committed to supporting local councils to identify, conserve and promote heritage within their local government area.
This is a non-competitive funding round and eligible applicants can apply for a $25,000 (ex GST) grant for initiatives that help identify, conserve and promote places or objects that have significance to the local area and community.
Most local councils will need to provide matched funding.
Successful projects must be delivered between July 2025 and May 2027.
View the 2025-27 Local Government Heritage Grants Guidelines.
This program is administered by The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Eligibility
Who can apply
You are eligible to apply for the Local Government Heritage Grants category if you:
- are a local government entity in NSW (local council)
- hold at least $20 million public liability insurance.
Please note, applicants are required to hold at least $20 million in public liability insurance in order to enter into a funding deed with the NSW Government. You are not required to have this insurance at the time of application. You will be asked to provide a copy of your certificate of currency when entering into a funding agreement.
Who the grant is targeted towards
The target audience for this grants category is local government entities in NSW (local councils) and their communities.
Types of projects funded under this grant
You can apply for funding for a range of services, products, projects and activities that:
- contribute to good management, identification, and conservation of heritage
- facilitate commemoration, promotion, celebration and participation in heritage.
If your project involves Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, you must show that the project has the support of the local Aboriginal community or communities, and how you intend to carry out appropriate consultation with them.
When the project can start and end
Funding for this grant program is committed to the 2025-26 and 2026-27 financial years. Therefore, the project must be delivered between 1 July 2025 and 1 May 2027. Extensions beyond this timeframe will only be considered in exceptional and unforeseen circumstances.
Projects must commence within 3 months of executed funding agreement and be completed within 2 years.
The project should be started by 1 July 2025 and the project must be completed by 1 May 2027.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
The expected outcomes are:
- improved management, identification, and conservation of locally significant heritage
- wider commemoration, promotion, celebration and participation in locally significant heritage.
What costs you can apply for
Below are examples of eligible project costs for this grants category:
- heritage consultant fees for heritage studies and similar
- local heritage advisor fees
- development and production of interpretation materials
- heritage training for council staff and community
- conservation works (labour and materials) for privately owned heritage items listed on Council's Local Environmental Plans (LEPs)
- costs for updating the State Heritage Inventory.
Who can’t apply
You cannot apply to the Local Government Heritage Grants category if you are not a local government entity in NSW (local council).
We may also consider any whole-of-government policy or guidelines that restrict an applicant’s access to grants programs.
What costs you can't apply for
Below are examples of ineligible project costs for this grants category:
- any project works, purchases or commitments (excluding pre-planning) that occur before 1 July 2025
- ongoing Council employee positions or in-house project management by salaried staff. These instead should be treated as cash or in-kind contributions to the grant
- conservation works (labour and materials) on council owned State and local heritage-listed items if the Council is legally responsible for the maintenance and repair
- purchase of equipment, such as lawn mowers, tools, computers, touch screens, audio-visual equipment, etc
- routine maintenance tasks, such as gardening, gutter cleaning, carpet cleaning, etc
- programs, festivals or events
- marketing, promotional campaigns or advertising
- co-contributions from other NSW Government grant programs.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
This grants category cannot be used for the below projects or activities:
- Aboriginal Cultural Heritage studies that do not demonstrate satisfactory engagement or consultation with local Aboriginal communities
- project works (excluding pre-planning) that commence before 1 July 2025
- establishment or ongoing management of a heritage committee
- construction of new buildings
- purchase or relocation of heritage items and buildings
- construction of commemorative monuments or headstones, plaques or memorials
- any work on council owned State or local heritage-listed items if the council is legally responsible for the maintenance and repair.
Example projects
Below are examples of eligible use of funding for this grants category:
- preparing a heritage study, such as:
- LGA wide heritage study or review
- LGA wide Aboriginal cultural heritage study
- LGA wide landscape heritage study
- LGA wide archaeological management plan
- LGA wide landscape management plan
- heritage development control plan study
- heritage signage strategy
- heritage main street study
- heritage tourism studies
- other heritage studies.
- running a local heritage grants program to assist with conservation of privately owned heritage items listed on Council's Schedule 5 of their Local Environmental Plan (LEP)
- providing a Local Heritage Advisor service for the community
- obtaining specialist heritage advice
- interpreting or promoting heritage
- providing heritage training to council staff or community
- developing heritage tools.
What co-contributions are required
The Agency uses Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data to determine if your local council will need to provide a matched contribution. Matched contributions can be cash or in-kind and must not include reasonable rates for salaried staff. Funding from other NSW Government Grant programs cannot form part of your matching contribution.
These NSW local councils are required to provide matched contributions equivalent to or greater than $25,000 (ex GST):
Albury, Armidale Regional, Ballina, Bathurst Regional, Bayside, Bega Valley, Bellingen, Blacktown, Bland, Blayney, Blue Mountains, Bogan, Bourke, Burwood, Byron, Cabonne, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Carrathool, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Coolamon, Cumberland, Dubbo Regional, Dungog, Eurobodalla, Forbes, Georges River, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Griffith, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Kiama, Ku-ring-gai, Lake Macquarie, Lane Cove, Lismore, Liverpool, Lockhart, Maitland, Mid-Western Regional, Mosman, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Newcastle, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Oberon, Orange, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional, Randwick, Ryde, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Snowy Monaro Regional, Strathfield, Sutherland, Sydney, The Hills, Tweed, Upper Hunter, Upper Lachlan, Uralla, Wagga Wagga, Walcha, Warren, Waverley, Weddin, Wentworth, Willoughby, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, Wollongong, Woollahra, Yass Valley and Unincorporated NSW.
These NSW local councils are not required to provide matched contributions:
Balranald, Berrigan, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Central Darling, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Cobar, Coonamble, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional, Cowra, Edward River, Fairfield, Federation, Gilgandra, Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Hay, Hilltops, Inverell, Junee, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lachlan, Leeton, Lithgow, Liverpool Plains, Mid-Coast, Moree Plains, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Narrabri, Narrandera, Narromine, Parkes, Richmond Valley, Snowy Valleys, Tamworth Regional, Temora, Tenterfield, Walgett and Warrumbungle.
Additional eligibility requirements
All funded projects are expected to adhere to the below additional requirements.
- Public disclosure: The name of the council, details of the project and the amount of funding allocated will be published online.
- Qualified personnel: You must ensure that all projects are carried out by individuals with the appropriate expertise and qualifications.
- Acknowledgement of funding: Council must acknowledge NSW Government funding in all materials produced for the project.
- Public access: Any study funded by this grant must be made publicly accessible.
- Media and publicity: The Agency will request your written permission to use materials from your project - such as photos, videos, and documents – for media and promotional purposes.
For conservation works on privately owned heritage items, each property owner must:
- obtain any required approvals and permits under the Heritage Act 1977, National Parks and Wildlife Service Act 1974 and/or local council planning and building requirements before commencing works
- seek the advice of a heritage specialist where necessary
- use suitably qualified and experienced tradespeople
- ensure all works meet appropriate heritage standards.
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for Albury City Council
$25,000 was approved by
Executive Director, Heritage NSWThe final decision-making authority for the awarded grants was transitioned from the Director of Customer Service to the Executive Director, Heritage NSW, following the Director's promotion and in line with the existing bulk delegation, ensuring continuity given their close involvement in all stages of the program..
Date approved
May 2025Location of the project
Albury City CouncilLocation of the recipient
Albury City CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
89
Applications received
95
2025-27 Local Government Heritage
Program term
Two yearsWhat was approved
Approved for Armidale Regional Council
$25,000 was approved by
Executive Director, Heritage NSWThe final decision-making authority for the awarded grants was transitioned from the Director of Customer Service to the Executive Director, Heritage NSW, following the Director's promotion and in line with the existing bulk delegation, ensuring continuity given their close involvement in all stages of the program..
Date approved
May 2025Location of the project
Armidale Regional CouncilLocation of the recipient
Armidale Regional CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
89
Applications received
95
2025-27 Local Government Heritage
Program term
Two yearsWhat was approved
Approved for Ballina Shire Council
$25,000 was approved by
Executive Director, Heritage NSWThe final decision-making authority for the awarded grants was transitioned from the Director of Customer Service to the Executive Director, Heritage NSW, following the Director's promotion and in line with the existing bulk delegation, ensuring continuity given their close involvement in all stages of the program..
Date approved
May 2025Location of the project
Ballina Shire CouncilLocation of the recipient
Ballina Shire CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
89
Applications received
95
2025-27 Local Government Heritage
Program term
Two yearsWhat was approved
Approved for Bathurst Regional Council
$25,000 was approved by
Executive Director, Heritage NSWThe final decision-making authority for the awarded grants was transitioned from the Director of Customer Service to the Executive Director, Heritage NSW, following the Director's promotion and in line with the existing bulk delegation, ensuring continuity given their close involvement in all stages of the program..
Date approved
May 2025Location of the project
Bathurst Regional CouncilLocation of the recipient
Bathurst Regional CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
89
Applications received
95
2025-27 Local Government Heritage
Program term
Two yearsWhat was approved
Approved for Bayside Council
$25,000 was approved by
Executive Director, Heritage NSWThe final decision-making authority for the awarded grants was transitioned from the Director of Customer Service to the Executive Director, Heritage NSW, following the Director's promotion and in line with the existing bulk delegation, ensuring continuity given their close involvement in all stages of the program..
Date approved
May 2025Location of the project
Bayside CouncilLocation of the recipient
Bayside CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
89
Applications received
95
2025-27 Local Government Heritage
Program term
Two yearsWhat your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
1. Clarify submission responsibilities
Confirm who will submit the application and manage the grant from the council. Your heritage advisor may submit the application on behalf of the council.
2. Assess matched contributions
Determine if council can meet the requirement for matched funding contributions, if required.
3. SmartyGrants account
Use your existing SmartyGrants account or register for a new one if this is your first time using the platform.
4. Complete the application form
Answer all questions in the online application form thoroughly.
5. Submit your application
Ensure that your application and all supporting documents are submitted through SmartyGrants before the closing date. Avoid waiting until the last minute.
6. Application limit
Only one application per local council will be accepted.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
1. Proof of Local Government entity
Provide evidence that your organisation is a local government entity in NSW (local council).
2. Appropriate use of grant funds
Demonstrate that the $25,000 (ex GST) grant will be applied to eligible activities.
3. Public liability insurance
Submit a copy of your council's certificate of currency for $20 million public liability insurance.
4. Matched contributions (if applicable)
Show council's ability to meet the matched contributions requirement, if it applies to your local council.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Director Customer Service, Heritage NSW
Step 1: Eligibility check
- The Agency will conduct a completeness check of your application, ensuring it meets all eligibility criteria. Only complete and eligible applications will proceed.
- All applications submitted through SmartyGrants by the deadline will undergo an eligibility review.
- Late applications will not be accepted. The Agency recommends submitting well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
- Supporting documents and material must be uploaded online with the application. Submissions via email or after the round closes will not be accepted.
Step 2: Decision
- The Director Customer Service, Heritage NSW will determine each application.
- There is no appeal process, and the decision is final.
Step 3: Notification
- You will be notified of the outcome of your application by 30 May 2025.
- If unsuccessful, the Agency can provide feedback on your application.
Step 4: Funding agreement
- Successful applicants will receive a funding agreement to sign electronically via DocuSign.
Step 5: Project commencement
- Successful projects may commence from 1 July 2025, once the funding agreement is executed.
- The project must start within 3 months of signing the funding agreement and be completed by 1 May 2027.
- You will receive grant funding over a 2-year period which will be paid against the milestones as outlined in your funding agreement.
- By July 2025 you will receive 50% of the grant funding paid up-front once the funding agreement is executed.
Step 6: Reporting and acquittal
- The successful project must submit progress reports as follows:
- Milestone 1: Funding agreement entered into (July 2025).
- Milestone 2: Progress update (March 2026).
- Milestone 3: Final report due (1 May 2027). This must detail project outcomes and expenditure.
- In May 2027, the Agency will review your outcomes achieved and expenditure to check all funding requirements were met, before paying the remaining 50% funding as a reimbursement. Full conditions for payment will be outlined in the funding agreement and its payment schedule.
- The Agency or its representatives may visit the project at time to inspect progress, provide advice and support, or to promote the project's progress.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is 30/05/2025
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 01/07/2025
Support and contact
For more information or clarification, contact Heritage NSW between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) on:
Email: heritagemailbox@environment.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9873 8500