Not too late for heritage help
11 December 2015
Waipa heritage supporters have until the end of this month to apply for funding to help with important projects.
Waipa District Council sets aside $70,000 each year to manage historic buildings and protect and restore significant natural, cultural and archaeological sites within the district. The money is available to community members or groups working to safeguard the district's rich and diverse heritage.
In its last funding round, Council's Heritage Committee allocated the biggest grant, $20,000, to the Te Awamutu Little Theatre for remedial electrical work, the replacement of rotten boards and exterior painting. Te Awamutu's iconic Regent Theatre was given $750 to help fix a 1930s neon sign and Cambridge's Gaslight Theatre secured $6,000 to help replace doors.
Natural heritage projects ranging from the installation of silt raps to weed control received $22,000 in grants. Churches in Te Awamutu and Kihikihi were also assisted with restoration work.
Funding can be used to help pay for physical works for heritage buildings, objects, natural vegetation, habitats, cultural or archaeological sites. It can be used for specialist advice but not for the creation of new monuments, oneoff events or the design, build or renovation of historic replicas. Since 2013, $140,000 has been allocated.
The next funding round closes on December 30 with information available on Waipa District Council's website here.