Download the Built Heritage Incentive Fund Application Guideline

Our Goals:

The structural integrity of heritage buildings is paramount and Hutt City recognises the importance of the need to offer some financial assistance to owners of all heritage buildings, protect, retain and conserve the heritage recognised in their heritage buildings.

Included is support for sites and areas of cultural significance.

The purpose of the Heritage Grant Fund is to provide grants to help with conserving, restoring and protecting Hutt City’s heritage buildings and sites and area's of cultural significance. The key objectives of the fund are to assist Hutt City to:

• Protect the structural integrity of heritage buildings
• Demonstrate and promote heritage values in the City
• Recognise, protect and conserve buildings and structures of heritage significance
• Protect and conserve buildings, sites, and areas significant to tangata whenua

CRITERIA - PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO PROJECTS THAT:

1. Make a positive contribution to achieving the Council’s Strategic Outcomes as listed in Council's Heritage Policy.
2. Either relate to
   • a building registered by the Historic Places Trust
   • buildings listed in the District Plan or identified by a Hutt City approved registered heritage advisor as contributing to a heritage area
   • sites and areas of cultural significance.
3. Are for:
   • Professional services: (e.g. structural strengthening reports, maintenance reports, conservation plans, archaeological sites assessments, conservation work specifications, or supervision work, technical advice etc); OR
   • Emergency physical work: Stabilisation, repair or restoration of original heritage fabric relating to historic buildings or structures, or objects or the remains thereof (e.g. repairs to masonry, joinery, plaster or glazing, earthquake strengthening, fire protection, protective works). Priority will be given to urgent work required to protect the structural integrity of the heritage building;
   • Preserving or restoring sites and areas of cultural significance.
4. Are for buildings where the applicant is owner or part owner of the heritage building.
5. Have high public access and/or visibility from public places.
6. Will positively impact on the heritage values of the item.
7. Will enhance or assist in the continued or compatible new use of the heritage building.
8. Will add to the visitor interest of the city; supporting community interests in the city; or significantly contributing to the character and streetscape qualities.

In all but exceptional circumstances Hutt City Council will not pay more than 50% of the cost of conservation.

Any applications over $15,000 may require a heritage report or advice from a suitably qualified heritage conservation professional.

For all advice regarding the application process, the criteria and specific projects, contact Rong Qian, Urban Design Team.

Grant Conditions

Hutt City Council reserves the right to impose conditions when approving grants under this funding policy, including but not limited to:

1. Grants will be subject to availability of funds in any particular year.
2. One grant only will be considered for each project.
3. Further applications for the same building will be considered only if the grant is required for different work
   to be carried out.
4. Staged availability of monies may be agreed as a condition of a grant.
5. Grants of $5000 to $49,999 may be subject to a Limited Covenant with the owner not to demolish the heritage building for a period of time to be negotiated.
   • A Limited Covenant is legally binding and involves the owner agreeing to:
     • Expend grant monies for the agreed conservation purposes.
     • Not demolish or remove the heritage building, nor apply for consent for demolition of the heritage building.
     • Upgrade to meet current requirements under the Notified City Plan, Building Act for fire and safety, seismic and access as well as the Resource Management Act where they intend a change of use of the heritage building.
6. Grants of $50,000 and above may require a Conservation Covenant to be registered on the property. Grants of $50,000 and above will only be given in exceptional circumstances at the total discretion of HCC.
   • A Conservation Covenant is a legally binding agreement between a private property owner and Hutt City registered against the property title of the heritage building. It ensures that protection of the heritage place and its heritage values continues to apply to future owners.
     The scope of a Conservation Covenant is considerably flexible. Council consults with the property owner and adapts a standard document to suit the specific needs of the property. For example it may include specific clauses on a building, a setting, specific trees, or future subdivision controls and other heritage outcomes.
   • Conservation Covenants bestow a high level of community recognition for places or items of heritage significance. They are a legal ‘stamp’ of a heritage item’s enduring worth to the distinctive character and identity of Hutt City, and are regarded as part of New Zealand’s cultural heritage. Council pays for the preparation of the covenant document as well as a Conservation Plan, a survey plan (if required) and registration of the covenant with the District Land Registrar..
7. Grants will be paid on completion and certification of the works and the registration of Covenants (whether Limited or Conservation).
8. Grants are exclusive of GST.

I confirm that all the details supplied in this application form are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and agree that:

• The information in the application and information subsequently generated in relation to the application will be available if required under the Official Information Act 1982.
• Compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements is the responsibility of the recipient.
• The property will be made available for inspection of the heritage values and the proposed work.
• The applicant will provide further information if this is needed to substantiate or assess the case for funding.
• No material information has been deliberately omitted or withheld from this application.

I have read, and will comply with the grant conditions that  apply to the Built Heritage Incentive Fund.