Renovation rescue: $5 million to further protect heritage

Australia’s most precious heritage sites will get a $5.3 million boost as the Albanese Labor Government today opens a new round of project grants.

Australian Heritage Grants are available to Traditional Owners, community groups, individuals and state and territory governments for projects that protect, restore and manage Australia’s National Heritage-listed places.

Last year, 13 rare, exceptional and outstanding places and buildings that have shaped Australia’s rich history received more than $4 million in funding.

Fossilised footprints from dinosaurs that roamed Western Australia’s West Kimberley millions of years ago are being better protected with a $205,000 grant. The funding helps preserve over 20 different types of dinosaur tracks, including those of theropods - two-legged, three-toed carnivores - and sauropods, including the Brachiosaurus, the tallest of the herbivorous sauropod family, which weighed the same as 20 fully grown elephants.

World Heritage listed K’gari received more than $390,000 to protect the iconic island from invasive weeds, pests, and disease. New biosecurity staff and rangers will also be hired.

The Darlington Probation Station on Maria Island in Tasmania, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, received $375,000 to restore original convict-era features.

Sydney’s North Head Quarantine Station, which has helped protect Australia from disease for about 150 years, received a $29,000 boost for conservation – including of historical sandstone inscriptions. 

Applications for the 2024-25 grant round are open until 25 October 2024. Grants range from $25,000 to $400,000.

Further information: www.dcceew.gov.au/parks-heritage/heritage/grants-and-funding/australian-heritage-grants

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek: 

“Australia is home to some of the most unique and beautiful places on earth, with 123 outstanding natural, Indigenous or historic sites that showcase the moments, places and people that have shaped our nation.

“We are working together with state and territory governments, Traditional Owners, conservation groups and volunteers to protect and preserve these places for generations to come.

“We’ve invested more than $30 million through our Australian Heritage Grants program for projects that help us to protect Indigenous cultural heritage sites, eradicate feral species and undertake critical restoration work. 

“Not only does the program work to protect heritage values, but it helps to boost job opportunities and tourism – especially in remote and regional Australia.”