Local Heritage Grants

To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Eligible applicant requirements:

• be either the owner or occupier of the local heritage place, or a person employed on behalf of the owner / occupier to undertake the work (i.e. consultant / contractor, etc.).
• where the applicant is not the owner, the applicant must obtain the consent of the owner for the lodgment of the application.

Applicants must engage a consultant with the appropriate qualifications and/or experience for which their services are requested.

Eligible properties requirements:

• Privately owned local heritage places as identified on the Redland City Council Local Heritage Register. Refer to Schedule 7 – Local Heritage Schedule of the City Plan and the accompanying Heritage overlay mapping on Redland City Council’s website for a current list of identified properties – Redland City Plan documents

 Eligible projects requirements:

• Funding will only be provided for projects conducted on places entered on Schedule 7 – Local Heritage Schedule of the City Plan at the time of application and for the duration of the project. 

  Eligible projects include:

  • The cost of consultancy fees to prepare or update a conservation management plan or heritage management plan.
  • Structural engineering reports.
  • Urgent repair/conservation work including:
    • restumping
    • repairs to timber framing,
    • decking, windows and doors
    • reroofing
    • painting
  • The cost to maintain heritage features.
  • To reinstate lost features important to the heritage character of the place.
  • Reversing unsympathetic alterations to restore original form.

Application limitations:

One application is permitted each financial year however, where funds have previously been allocated for general repair or conservation works or towards professional heritage consultancy services, a second application would only be considered for high priority work, such as urgent roof replacement.

The Local Heritage Grant program supports projects that demonstrate clear alignment with the program objectives. Projects that are considered outside the scope of the program will be deemed ineligible.

The following works are ineligible for funding under this program:

• Unsympathetic work that has a negative impact on the places local heritage values.
• Internal works unless listed on the heritage citation as a contributing statement of significance or are necessary to maintain structural integrity.
• Work which has already commenced or been completed.
• Construction of new buildings or additions unless involving the reconstruction of an original element.
• Reconstruction or restoration that is not based on documentary or physical evidence.
• Demolition of or other works that may affect the heritage significance of the place.
• General maintenance work that should normally be undertaken to keep the place in good repair.
• Purchase of tools, plant, and equipment.

All applications must be submitted via Council’s online SmartyGrants portal.

Applying is easy with SmartyGrants:

1. Visit the grant application link provided when the round is open or visit Council's online portal SmartyGrants
2. Create a SmartyGrants account or log in if you already have one
3. Start your application and fill in the required details
4. Save your progress and come back any time before the closing date
5. Submit your application once you're ready

Applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt of their application. This email will contain a unique reference number which should be quoted when making enquiries about your application.

For more information Visit SmartyGrants Help Guide for tips and support.

To see Redland City Council current open funding programs, refer to Council's online portal SmartyGrants.

Application requirements

 All applications must include the following information:

• Plans and sketches sufficient to detail the extent of the proposed works including site plans and elevations.
• Images of the current disrepair of the proposed works.
• Written quotes based on the scope of work.
• Evidence of applicant’s contribution (for consultancy services only).
• Written advice from the licensed contractor that shows that they have experience in carrying out repairs to heritage places. There may be instances when this is not required, such as painting works.
• Assessment process and outcome notification.

Only the information provided within the application form will be considered during the assessment process.

All applications requesting funds will be assessed by an assessment team comprised of Council staff and external representatives with expertise in the field of local heritage where necessary.

Assessment criteria

Your application will be reviewed based on the information you provide and how well it meets the following assessment criteria:

For general or high priority works

• The extent to which the project meets the objectives of the program to protect and conserve the local heritage listed place.
• The urgency of the proposed works.
• Merit of application (sound proposal, documents clearly detail the works, at least two (2) written quotes, appropriate conservation methodology, evidence of applicant’s contribution if the total cost exceeds $5,000). Please note, if two quotes are not able to be obtained due to the nature of the work, please advise in your application.

For consultancy services

• Need for the proposal (e.g. is it necessary to support further works that will conserve the local heritage values of the place).
• How the activity will contribute to the long-term protection, conservation and/or enhancement of the local heritage place.
• Merit of application (sound proposal, documents clearly detail the works, at least two (2) written quotes, appropriate conservation methodology, evidence of applicant’s contribution). Please note, if two quotes are not able to be obtained due to the nature of the work, please advise in your application.

Best practice conservation projects

Projects funded will be those which protect and conserve the local heritage values of local heritage places. The management of local heritage places is a specialised field. To avoid expensive and irreversible mistakes, qualified and experienced persons are to be used to carry out repairs or alterations to heritage features. To ensure a person is suitably qualified, applicants are encouraged to request examples of their work prior to engaging their services. The Department of Environment and Science has developed technical notes that provide information about how to plan and undertake various types of conservation work. These technical notes have relevance for local heritage places and are considered to be a valuable guide to assist in works/development. The technical notes are available on the Queensland Government website: www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/heritage/publications

Outcome process

Applicants that are successful in obtaining funding will be advised in writing and required to:

• enter into a Grant Funding Agreement and agree to its terms and any special conditions; and
• provide an invoice before payment will be processed.

Once all funding conditions have been completed and a valid tax invoice has been provided, payment of the awarded funding will be released by Council. 

Unsuccessful applicants will have the opportunity to seek feedback so improvements can be made prior to the next submission. If an application is unsuccessful a second time, no further applications can be made until the following financial year. 

When you apply for a grant, you're committing to deliver the project as outlined in your application. This includes using the funds responsibly, meeting agreed timelines, and submitting any required reports or updates. It’s important to ensure your organisation is ready to manage the grant if successful.

Funding agreement 

All successful applicants will be required to enter into a formal funding agreement with Council which stipulates any funding conditions that must be met prior to the release of grant funds. The funding agreement outlines the terms and conditions under which the grant is provided, including project deliverables, reporting obligations, payment schedules, use of funds and compliance with relevant legislation and policies. It also includes provisions for suspension, repayment, and termination of funding if conditions are not met.

Successful grant applicants will be required to complete Redland City Council’s EFTsure onboarding process for secure payment verification. For more information, please visit Onboarding and EFTsure Pty Ltd.

As a grant recipient, you are required to submit reports throughout the duration of your grant. This includes two milestone reports, and a final acquittal report at the end of the grant. These reports help us stay informed about your progress, confirm that funds are being used in line with the agreement, and identify any changes or areas where we can assist. If your project requires adjustments, please submit a variation request for approval.

Milestone reports

Applicants must complete milestone reporting via SmartyGrants relating to progress of the funded activity. Automated milestone reports are sent to grant administrators to complete within a specified timeframe.

Variation requests

Funding must be used in accordance with the funding agreement. Any changes to the grant activities undertaken or the project duration must be approved by Council.

Requests for variations must be submitted via the SmartyGrants portal under My Submissions. Variations must be approved before you undertake any changes and cannot be sought after the Funding Agreement end date.

The variation form should outline the changes you are seeking to the funding agreement, for example: changes to the nature/purpose of the project, the way in which the project is to be carried out and completed, the budget and/or any extension to the funding period.

Acquittal report

Applicants have a six (6) month period to complete their grant project or activity from the awarded date, unless otherwise indicated in the funding agreement. However, this timeframe maybe extended in the event of extenuating circumstances. Approval to extend the timeframe must be sought in advance and approved in writing via the variation request process.

To finalise your project, you must complete an acquittal form for your project within 14 days of the completion date via your SmartyGrants account.

Applicants that do not acquit their project are ineligible to apply for funding under Council's various funding programs until such time as they have successfully acquitted all previous funding.

The acquittal form requires you to provide information on the completion of the project activity. This is a report on the project activity, including objectives, outputs and impact, and includes a financial statement. This includes providing adequate receipts, $0 balance invoices, and bank statements reflect the eligible expenses as per the program. 

Repayment of grant

If a grant recipient is unable to meet the acquittal requirements or does not spend the full amount awarded, they may be required to repay funds to Council. This includes:

• Any portion of the grant used for purposes not approved in the funding agreement, which must be repaid within 30 days of Council’s request (or as otherwise agreed)
• Any unspent funds, unless otherwise agreed, must be returned within 30 days of either the project end date or termination of the funding agreement, whichever occurs first
• Any variance greater than $100 that cannot be demonstrated with appropriate financial evidence

All repayments must include the applicable GST component based on the original payment.