$15 million in budget for heritage protection

5.45pm

The Government is putting an extra $15.2 million into the preservation of heritage sites.

Prime Minister Helen Clark made the pre-budget announcement today, saying the money would be spread over four years and used to improve maintenance.

It includes $2.2 million to establish a Heritage Preservation Fund to help look after privately-owned properties which might otherwise be demolished or run down.

The fund will administered by the Historic Places Trust, which the prime minister said played a vital role in recognising and preserving significant sites.

She said there would be a development plan for the Kerikeri Historic Basin to ensure the mission station was protected from flooding and traffic vibration.

Auckland's North Head fortifications, which are managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), would also get new heritage funding.

The $15.2 million package, spread over four years, includes:

* an additional $8 million for the Historic Places Trust to upgrade its national register, maintain properties and develop its Maori heritage services;

* $4 million for the restoration of sites administered by Doc;

* a contribution of $400,000 to the Antarctic Heritage Trust to support its proposed preservation of historic sites in Antarctica; and

* $544,000 for DOC to consult the community and work out the Kerikeri development plan.

- NZPA