Activating State Heritage Grant - Stage 1 EOI

You are eligible under the Activating State Heritage Grant category if you:

• are the owner, manager, long-term lessee or custodian of an item listed on the SHR in NSW:
  • with written support of the owners of the site (if you are a manager or lessee),
  • with written support of all owners or owners’ corporation (if the site has multiple owners).
• have legal responsibility for maintenance and repair of the SHR listed item.
• agree tprovide matched funding for the project.
• are a local council, business, non-government organisation, community group or individual who has their operations and headquarters in NSW (if you are a business or incorporated entity).

How to check an item is on the State Heritage Register

The SHR is a statutory list of items (places and objects) which represent heritage of particular importance to the people of NSW.

All types of heritage listings are included on the State Heritage Inventory. To check if an item is on the SHR search the State Heritage Inventory.

If the item you search for shows up as blue, it means that it is State Heritage Registered and is eligible for funding.

You cannot apply for the Activating State Heritage Grant if: 

• your property is not a SHR listed item
• you are a State or Federal Government agency
• the SHR item is owned and managed by a State or Federal government agency
• the SHR item was acquired or leased from a State or Federal government agency in the last two years
• the application is for a multiple site listing such as a large precinct or town with multiple owners. 

You can apply for project funding if: 

• it is for capital works and/or upgrades that activate and increase public accessibility and usage of a State Heritage Register listed item
• there are no active or unresolved NSW Heritage Act 1977 compliance issues at the site
• the total value of the project is equal to or greater than $2 million
• most of the project will be delivered from January 2023 and completed by mid to late 2025.  

Things to note 

If your project impacts on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, sites or objects or includes Aboriginal shared history or content you must show how you intend to undertake appropriate consultation with, and gain support and approval of, Aboriginal custodians/community. 

We recommend you contact your local council’s heritage advisor or engage a heritage specialist: 

• to help plan your project so that it meets any heritage and legislative requirements; and 
• if you are successful, to oversee the heritage aspects of the project and complete compliance certificates at key stages of the project. 

Ramps, lifts, kitchen and bathroom upgrades and new amenity blocks will be considered if it can be demonstrated that they are essential to make the site accessible and usable. 

The types of projects that would not be given funding include: 

• projects that do not meet the objectives of the Activating State Heritage Grant category
• any project work and associated costs, not including pre-planning, that occurs before 30 Nov 2022
• purchase of heritage buildings or items 
• relocation of buildings or items
• new commemorative monuments, works or headstones
• purchase of equipment for example lawn mowers etc 
• in-house project management by salaried officers as either voluntary or cash contributions
• business set up or operating costs
• programs, festivals or events 
• projects that will rely on ongoing grant funding
• routine maintenance, such as lawn mowing, gutter cleaning, carpet cleaning, etc. 

There will be one successful applicant selected and awarded $1 million in matched funding.

If successful you will need to contribute an equal cash amount towards the project delivery and have responsibility for the ongoing, long-term viability of the activated item.

Administration costs should not exceed 10% of the overall budget.  

Things to note 

Once the funding agreement is signed, you will receive the funding in stages against agreed milestones. 

At least 10% of the grant is held until the project is finished. We will check the quality of the completed work and that all requirements have been met before making the final payment. The amount of the payment is based on actual project costs and you making a matching contribution. 

Full conditions for payment will be outlined in the funding agreement and its payment schedule. 

GST will be added to grants if you are registered for GST (except if a local government grant recipient). 

The grant may result in financial, taxation, legal or other impacts. It is strongly recommended that you seek independent financial advice on any impacts of receiving a grant.  

You may also seek advice from the Australian Tax Office if you have further questions about your individual situation.