Five CBD heritage properties are set for a spruce up, thanks to a more targeted approach with a grants program.
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Goulburn Mulwaree Council has run the CBD grants program for some years but at times, application numbers have been lacklustre.
Over the past few years, the council targeted some businesses in an effort to "achieve sympathetic and appropriate colour schemes and advertising signage." The grants program, which is funded by the council, aims to improve properties' appearance. Heritage is just one of the considerations, alongside high visibility and public access.
At the most recent meeting, councillors agreed to disperse the entire $25,000 kitty to five properties that applied. All are located in the heritage conservation area.
The Old Fire Station in Montague Street, designed by prominent architect EC Manfred in 1890 will receive $5000 towards roof repairs, estimated to cost $23,547.
Others were:
- $10,000 towards painting at 35 Montague Street. The work is valued at $43,340. The council must agree to the colour scheme before work starts;
- The CWA rooms at 2 Montague Street will receive $2500 towards $4930 in roof repairs;
- $5000 to 115 Auburn Street (occupied by Shelly's Sewing Centre) towards a $16,280 project to paint the building. Colour schemes must be agreed;
- 78 Bradley Street - (occupied by Jaki Gore and Associates) - $2500 towards an $8650 estimate to replace the front fence.
As a former main street committee member, Cr Carol James said she was pleased to see the targeted approach had worked and more people were taking up the opportunity.
Cr Dan Strickland concurred.
"Hopefully this will encourage more people to get involved next time," he said.
"(Getting people to) concentrate on the top of shop fronts would be really good."
Other parts of the CBD have come under fire in recent years. In late 2021, Cr Bob Kirk described Silly Solly's bright red and yellow signage as "a shocker."
The council's environment and planning director, Scott Martin said the signage did not have approval. His department wrote a 'show cause' letter to the owners but the signage remains.
![The owners of buildings which once occupied by Saint Joseph's Primary School have been granted $5000 for painting. The premises is now occupied by Imaginations Early Learning. Picture by Louise Thrower. The owners of buildings which once occupied by Saint Joseph's Primary School have been granted $5000 for painting. The premises is now occupied by Imaginations Early Learning. Picture by Louise Thrower.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/FkT3ZusFw5YrTvZCipmLUF/cb19d600-0d05-4f37-9486-ebe9b2b25d3d.JPG/r0_353_4288_2697_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Meantime, the council has dispersed $32,880 under its heritage grants program.
The initiative is part funded by the state government.
On Tuesday, councillors agreed to the following grants:
- 5 Kadwell Street - $4000 towards re-roofing;
- 101 Lagoon Street (occupied by Imaginations Early Education) - $5000 for painting;
- 92 Bradley Street - $2500 towards paint;
- Mortis Street Cemetery - $2500 towards a $6521 grave conservation project;
- 13 Grafton Street - $3300 to help re-point brickwork;
- 32 Wayo Street - $1000 to help tile a Federation style veranda;
- 77 Bradley Street - $2500 for painting;
- 147 Addison Street (Trinity Catholic College) - $5000 towards a $15,000 estimate to paint Wexted Oval pavilion;
- 83 Kinghorne Street - $3730 for roof repairs;
- 252 Cowper Street - $2500 towards painting;
- 14 Day Street (former North Goulburn station master's cottage) - $2500 for brickwork restoration.
The council's planning department must sign off on paint colour schemes before work starts.
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