The 2025-27 NSW Heritage Grants Program is now open with $8.5 million dollars up for grabs to support local councils or those who manage or own items listed on the NSW State Heritage Register over a two-year time frame.

The funding is available across four key areas including:

• Caring for State Heritage
• Activating State Heritage
• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
• Local Government Heritage

Stephen Lawrence MLC is encouraging communities to take a serious look at the grants and apply to help activate, preserve and protect important heritage sites across our regions.

“The NSW Heritage Grants Program offers an opportunity for us to help protect and activate heritage places, deepening our connection to the stories and history that define our community.

“I strongly encourage eligible applicants to apply to help protect and activate heritage places in our community, enhancing public engagement and cultural awareness,” said Mr Lawrence.

Stephen Lawrence MLC - image NSW Parliament

One local Cobar resident says more funding should be provided for small towns to maintain sites for future generations.

“Our country and culture is vitally important and any site that we can save is imperative,” she said.

“We need to be able to show our current and future generations what took place before them and how it shaped the community and their people, from all walks of life.

“Unfortunately, in a throwaway society these things don’t have much appeal and it is up to us the elders to make sure they are protected for years to come,” she added.

The Great Western Hotel Cobar

The Heritage Grants program will aim to support declared Aboriginal places, activate items on the NSW State Heritage Register and assist local councils to preserve and promote local heritage, with an increase in funding available to the tune of $2.5 million dollars.

Derek Francis General Manager of Bogan Shire Council says the Shire is hoping to access some funding out of this round.

“We haven’t received Heritage Grant funding prior to this, but hopefully we can for some repairs to the façade of Nyngan Town Hall.

“We have had some preliminary discussions but haven’t yet progressed to the application.

“Our heritage buildings are so important as part of our town’s identity and grant funding is often the only way small rural communities would be able to afford the necessary cost,” Mr Francis said.

Applications close at 10am on Thursday 30 January 2025.

Anyone interested in applying can find more information, eligibility criteria and application details on the Heritage NSW website or the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder.