❓ Dr. Jacobs inquires about the progress of the $5 million Goldfields Earthquake Restoration Fund established after the 2010 Boulder earthquake. The Minister provides an update on grants allocated, heritage services funded, and remaining funds, highlighting the positive impact on the Burt Street precinct.
AnsweredQoN 82Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GOLDFIELDS EARTHQUAKE RESTORATION FUND
82. Dr G.G. JACOBS to the Minister for Heritage:
This government responded magnificently to the earthquake
that significantly affected Boulder in April 2010 by getting people on the
ground to help owners within days of the event and by making $5 million
available to help with the cost of repairs to heritage buildings. Will the
minister please advise an update on what has been achieved with the $5 million
goldfields earthquake restoration fund?
82. Dr G.G. JACOBS to the Minister for Heritage:
This government responded magnificently to the earthquake
that significantly affected Boulder in April 2010 by getting people on the
ground to help owners within days of the event and by making $5 million
available to help with the cost of repairs to heritage buildings. Will the
minister please advise an update on what has been achieved with the $5 million
goldfields earthquake restoration fund?
AnswerView source ↗
I certainly can provide the house
with an update, but first I thank the member for Eyre for his question. The
member and I together inspected the repair work to heritage buildings in
Boulder late last year. As the member for Eyre said, the government was very
quick to respond to that disaster by providing $5 million. I inform the house
that, as at 7 February, 59 grants totalling $2 888 266 have been made
available. In addition, $212 857 has been paid out for expert heritage services
and another $250 000 for other support services provided by the Office of
Heritage. Owners of the last 11 properties are still finalising their insurance
claims and the restoration work that needs to be done, and $1 648 877 remains
in the fund to meet those claims. What I anticipate, and what is expected, is
that all the available funds will be utilised in that program. This does not
truly reflect what has been achieved. Life has been breathed back into the
historic Burt Street precinct through this significant investment. There has
been a renewed sense of optimism. I believe that people are now buying back
into that area as they see a future for the area. They are investing their own
funds, in addition to those spent on the improvements. Royalties for regions
funds have been used to improve the streetscape, which is a great boost.
During my visit to the area, I had the pleasure of inspecting
the work done on the Stage Left Theatre. The Stage Left Theatre demonstrates
the confidence that community groups and owners have in this precinct. The
investment by both the government and the owners has resulted in the building
being not only repaired, but also improved and conserved for future
generations. This funding has been a catalyst for other investment in the area.
We can see that from adversity, a new future for Boulder is emerging.
with an update, but first I thank the member for Eyre for his question. The
member and I together inspected the repair work to heritage buildings in
Boulder late last year. As the member for Eyre said, the government was very
quick to respond to that disaster by providing $5 million. I inform the house
that, as at 7 February, 59 grants totalling $2 888 266 have been made
available. In addition, $212 857 has been paid out for expert heritage services
and another $250 000 for other support services provided by the Office of
Heritage. Owners of the last 11 properties are still finalising their insurance
claims and the restoration work that needs to be done, and $1 648 877 remains
in the fund to meet those claims. What I anticipate, and what is expected, is
that all the available funds will be utilised in that program. This does not
truly reflect what has been achieved. Life has been breathed back into the
historic Burt Street precinct through this significant investment. There has
been a renewed sense of optimism. I believe that people are now buying back
into that area as they see a future for the area. They are investing their own
funds, in addition to those spent on the improvements. Royalties for regions
funds have been used to improve the streetscape, which is a great boost.
During my visit to the area, I had the pleasure of inspecting
the work done on the Stage Left Theatre. The Stage Left Theatre demonstrates
the confidence that community groups and owners have in this precinct. The
investment by both the government and the owners has resulted in the building
being not only repaired, but also improved and conserved for future
generations. This funding has been a catalyst for other investment in the area.
We can see that from adversity, a new future for Boulder is emerging.
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