Horowhenua District Council calls for applications for heritage fund cash

Foxton's oldest home Sunnyside, or the Nye Cottage, was restored with hard work and vision from Jim and Sarah Harper after the house was donated by former owner Betty Barnett.

Horowhenua District Council is calling for applications for projects that could source money from its Heritage Fund, like the recent restoration of the oldest home in Foxton.

Last year, a $5000 grant from the Heritage Fund helped Jim and Sarah Harper, the owners of Sunnyside Cottage (also known as Nye Cottage), put money towards replacement of rotten and damaged weatherboards on the cottage with reproduction weatherboards.

Mr Harper said the new weatherboards were specially cut to match the unique profile of the original eight inch-wide kauri boards.

"Replacing the weatherboards was a key part of the project to restore the cottage to its original condition," he said.

"We're transforming it into a gallery and museum telling the story of the cottage, the families who were part of its history, and of Foxton and the river loop."

Sunnyside Cottage is one of the oldest buildings in Manawatū and was relocated from Newth Road to Harbour Street, Foxton last year after being donated by its owner Betty Barnett.

The generosity of Mrs Barnett and the hard work and vision of the Harper's to restore the house meant a slice of Foxton history would live on for future generations to visit, he said.

The Heritage Fund was for projects that conserve or restore the heritage value or character of a property recognised under the Horowhenua District Plan for its historical significance.

Owners of property listed in Schedule 2 of the Horowhenua District Plan, or of property in the Town Centre Heritage and Character Areas of Foxton and Shannon, were eligible to apply.

Horowhenua District Council Project Coordinator Ashley Huria said eligible projects include conservation and restoration work, strengthening of earthquake-prone buildings, emergency building work, specialist advice, conservation plans and possibly relocation of a heritage building.

Grants from the Heritage Fund are allocated by the Community Recognition and Funding Committee. In the case of applications that exceed the value of the available funding, the Committee will decide how to distribute the funding based on the number and nature of applications received.

The Fund is open for applications during July and August and has $30,000 to distribute.
Applications open on 1 July and close at 5pm on Friday 16 August 2019. For further information and to make an application, visit the Heritage Fund page of Council's website