10/6/05
Minister for Goldfields-Esperance John Bowler today took a look at what the $500,000 allocated to the restoration of Coolgardie’s heritage buildings will do for the town.
With the commitment made under the ‘Building a better future for the Goldfields’ policy, the Minister was keen to see for himself what was planned for the repairs to the bowling pavilion, post office and police station complex, railway station and the Coolgardie town hall.
“The funding of the heritage buildings project reflects the Gallop Government’s commitment to promote a wider appreciation of the value of heritage, and to encourage the protection of important heritage places,” Mr Bowler said.
“The Shire of Coolgardie is playing a vital role in identifying and protecting its heritage buildings through this project and I am keen to support their initiative.”
Coolgardie’s shire president Gavin Turner said the funding would allow the shire to move forward with its restoration plan for the buildings, which would start with renovations to the bowling pavilion.
“A scope of works identified this as the most important place to start, along with priority repairs to the post office and police complex,” Mr Turner said.
“I am pleased that the shire can proceed with this project as a result of this State Government funding.”
The assessment, which also covered the railway station and the town hall, will be used to plan the project restorations and assist with future funding applications to ensure that the work required can be undertaken in stages to complete the restoration.
“Quite often initial funding is required to give a worthwhile project a kick-start and the Coolgardie heritage buildings project is an example that,” Mr Bowler said.
“The flow-on effects from this project will benefit the local contractors and suppliers, who will undertake the repairs and provide the materials, while the preservation of Coolgardie’s heritage icons will help attract tourists and promote business activity in the region.”
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