Properties scattered throughout Goulburn's CBD and residential areas will receive a lift under a council heritage and general grant program.
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The former Exchange Hotel, an old trading firm, the Goulburn Club and the Goulburn Post building are among the recipients.
Councillors signed off on the grants at their most recent meeting following a healthy round of applications.
READ MORE ABOUT GOULBURN'S HERITAGE
In the CBD, a Georgian style building on the southwestern side of Bradley and Sloane Streets, will receive $2775 towards a $16,940 estimate for painting. The property at 324 Sloane Street has also scored $2500 towards an expected $15,940 in roof repairs.
The structure was used by 1880s auctioneer and retailer, Owen Furner.
Other CBD properties to receive assistance are:
- 131 Auburn Street, housing Yoga Presence to paint the facade consistent with adjoining shops - $1150;
- 213 Auburn Street - (adjoining St George Bank) - $3850 towards $36,451 worth of painting;
- 2 Montague Street - (CWA rooms) - $2500 to paint windows;
- 199 Auburn Street - (Goulburn Post) - $2500 towards $8800 cost of painting;
- 19 Market Street - (Goulburn Club) - $2500 towards $5000 worth of painting;
- 25 Market Street - (Market Street Lodge) - $2500 for $8000 in painting costs;
- 336 Auburn Street - (Charcoal Chicken) - $2500 to help replace upper storey windows and roof sheeting;
- 78 Bradley Street - (SE corner of Bourke Street) - $2500 towards painting and a front fence
- 97 Bourke Street - (landscaping consultancy) - $2225 for painting.
Councillors decided last year to allocate the total $25,000 for the CBD grants in an effort to entice owners to spruce up their buildings. The grants mainly targeted sympathetic colour schemes and advertising signage and emerged following a CBD masterplan.
This year, the area was expanded to include the B3 commercial core, also taking in peripheral streets such as the western side of Sloane Street and southern aspect of Bradley Street.
The call yielded 11 applications worth a total $112,271 in works. Owners will chip in $87,271. The applications were assessed by council staff based on heritage but also visibility and access.
Deputy Mayor Peter Walker congratulated those who applied, saying it was sometimes difficult to convince owners to spend money on their premises.
Goulburn Chamber of Commerce president Darrell Weekes said while the funding was welcome he would like to see more allocated to the program.
"Part of the challenge is that it's not a lot of money and we need to invest in the main street," he said.
"While I appreciate the effort, a number of building owners won't apply if they have to put in their own money."
Mr Weekes said improving the building facades was essential if Goulburn was to turn around "negative" perceptions associated with the jail and cool climate.
"People think of those things but not about all the heritage we have here," he said.
"My concern is that the sight of vacant shops and ordinary looking facades feeds those perceptions. Our main street could be more vibrant."
The Chamber is holding a planning meeting on Tuesday to discuss how it can help landlords and the council improve the CBD.
Houses score funds
Meantime, $31,800 will be dispersed to residential and some business owners under the Local Heritage Grant program. It is funded by the Office of Environment and Heritage and the council, but owners must also match contributions.
The grand Hurstville at 246 Cowper Street, built in the early 1860s will receive $2500 towards painting worth $11,000. The colour scheme will be approved before work begins.
The home was originally built as a residence, was later used as a school and has been extensively restored in recent years.
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Another heritage gem, the former Kings College at 47 Combermere Street, now used for units, has scored $4800 for re-roofing. The owner has proposed $210,000 in restoration work.
Other recipients are:
- 96 Grafton Street - $2500 towards painting and the garden;
- 8 Ben Street - (former Marys Mount Monastery) - $2500 to help paint windows;
- 83 Grafton Street - (former Builders Arms Hotel) - $2500 towards painting;
- 9 Bradley Street - (former Exchange Hotel) - $2500 to help painting and awning repairs;
- 4 Grafton Street - $1250 to help painting;
- 19 Market Street - (Goulburn Club) - $1250 to replace veranda post;
- 34 King Street, Bungonia - (former school) - $2500 to address rising damp and re-point brickwork;
- 336 Auburn Street - (Charcoal Chicken) - $2500 to replace the roof and windows;
- 177 Bourke Street - $2500 to replace the front fence;
- 78 Queen Street - $2500 for painting.
The council received 25 applications which were assessed by the council's heritage advisor and the heritage and landscape planner.
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