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Grants used to conserve history-Bankfoot House allocated funds for crucial restoration |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 28 September 2007 |
State
Minister for Glasshouse Carolyn Male has announced that $45,000 will be
awarded to projects that will help conserve Bankfoot House at
Glasshouse Mountains and the Dularcha Railway Tunnel between
Landsborough and Mooloolah.
Ms
Male said the grants were made under the first round of the Beattie
Labor government’s $5 million Living Buildings and Places heritage
grants program.
“Thirty
thousand dollars goes towards conservation works at Bankfoot House
which will include essential repairs such as re-stumping and timber
repairs, pest treatment, drainage upgrade and equitable access
including a ramp and purchase of a narrow wheelchair that will fit
through the doors of the old home,” she said.
There
is a grant of $15,000 for a Conservation Management Plan for Dulchara
Tunnel, constructed in 1890/91 for the North Coast rail line, she said. “The
current condition of the Dulchara Tunnel needs to be ascertained and a
repair schedule developed, with associated costing, with the aim of
increasing public access and including interpretative signage to
explain the tunnel’s history and significance.”
Ms
Male said properties and places such as Bankfoot House4 and Dulchara
Tunnel have particular historical significance and she was thrilled to
see this funding.
Cr
Anna Grosskreutz said,” Carolyn Male and I work together on a number of
key projects in the Glasshouse Country region. This grant from the
state government for Bankfoot House is fantastic and timely as the
council recently contracted specialist in building restoration to
identify maintenance and minor capital works for Bankfoot House. The
state funds combined with the council budget funding will significantly
boost urgent and necessary repair work.”
Beth
Hodge, president of Bankfoot House, thanked the state government for
the grant and said the funds will be used to improve the structural
integrity of the historic home. Successful applicants in the Living
Buildings and Places heritage grants program were selected by an expert
panel including members of the Queensland Heritage Council, National
Trust, Department of Public Works and Local Government association of
Australia. Priority was given to heritage properties requiring
emergency work to stabilise and protect them, Ms Male said.
For more information about the Living Buildings and Places heritage grants program go to www.epa.qld.gov.au
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Range News 2005 - ON 
