Media Statements - Grants boost to regional heritage

8/12/05

Two regional homesteads east of Perth are major beneficiaries of the Gallop Government’s $1million program to conserve the State’s heritage assets.

Heritage Minister Francis Logan today announced that the owners of the Walebing Homestead in Moora would receive $102,300 to repair the home’s front verandah and replace its roof.

It is the single biggest grant awarded under this year’s heritage grants program.

Mr Logan also announced a $24,600 grant for the Cowalla Homestead Group in Gingin to fix damaged roof sheets, replace guttering and downpipes, restore non-effective drains and replace damaged timber posts on the verandah.

The two homesteads are among 29 heritage sites around the State to receive grants in 2005-06 to help pay for important maintenance and restoration work.

Three other properties in the Wheatbelt have also received grants - Moran’s Wagin Hotel ($50,000), Mitchell House at the former Federal Hotel in Wagin ($20,000) and the Edna May Tavern in Westonia ($8,000).

The Minister said the Wheatbelt had fared extremely well in this year’s grants, with more than $200,000 being dedicated to conservation projects in the region.

“In fact, about 76 per cent of this year’s heritage grants will go to regional areas, demonstrating the State Government’s commitment to investing in and creating sustainable regional communities,” he said.

Mr Logan said the grants were a significant investment by the Gallop Government.

Over the past eight years, almost $7million had been provided to property owners to help conserve the State’s built heritage.

“The grants make a real difference to the conservation and ongoing protection of some of the State’s most valued heritage buildings,” he said.

“They provide vital assistance to private owners of heritage places and are a real benefit of owning a State heritage-listed property.

“It is another example of the Gallop Government acting to protect and enhance Western Australia's unique lifestyle and environment.

“The grant for the historic 1870s Walebing Homestead will ensure it remains a heritage treasure for many years to come.”

Mr Logan said Walebing represented a magnificent collection of farm buildings that perfectly illustrated the way of life on a rural station.

“I suspect the same combination of farm buildings grouped together in a single, well-preserved entity would not be found anywhere else in WA,” he said.

Details of grants allocated to Wheatbelt projects in 2005-06 are listed below:

Walebing Homestead, Moora: $102,300 to repair front verandah and replace roof;
Mitchell House, Federal Hotel, Wagin: $20,000 to replace roof, roofing timbers, guttering and downpipes;
Moran’s Wagin Hotel: $50,000 to repair verandah roof, decking and downpipes;
Cowalla Homestead Group: $24,600 to fix damaged roof sheets, replace guttering and downpipes, restore non-effective drains and replace damaged timber posts to verandah; and
Edna May Tavern: $8,000 to prepare a conservation plan.

Minister's Office - 9222 8950