Federal Environment and Heritage Minister Peter Garrett, and Federal Member for Hunter, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today announced $53,823 in Australian Government funding for a conservation project in Merriwa.  

The Sandstone Wall Restoration project will receive $53,823 to rebuild the sandstone wall supporting the veranda .

“These projects will provide a boost to local economies with materials for the construction works being sourced from local suppliers. These projects clearly demonstrate how the Government’s Jobs Fund is having an immediate impact on local communities by developing skills and enhancing economic opportunities” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Of the $650 million Jobs Fund, $60 million was directly available for projects relating to Australia’s historic, Indigenous and natural heritage places.

“This is the largest investment ever made in Australian heritage conservation. It recognises the crucial role that heritage conservation can and does play in stimulating the economic health of communities and in turn, the nation,” Mr Garrett said.
The $60 million for community heritage projects has been developed in consultation with Senator Bob Brown as part of the Australian Government’s Jobs and Training Compact.
The Project announcements are part of the second round of the Jobs Fund heritage initiative, with $12.7 million already allocated in round one to more than 30 heritage conservation projects around Australia. Further announcements will be made in the following weeks about other Jobs Fund heritage projects around New South Wales.