Hon Gerry Brownlee
National Party MP

Media statement

12 August 2016

New heritage fund open to applicants from Christchurch

Quake-prone, Heritage listed buildings in Christchurch will be able to apply for support for earthquake strengthening through the new Heritage Earthquake Upgrade Incentive Programme fund (EQUIP).

“This is a big opportunity to safeguard some of the heritage buildings which make our region so special,” says local Christchurch MP Gerry Brownlee

“The contestable fund will be available for all privately-owned Category 1 Heritage New Zealand listed buildings across the country and for Category 2 listed heritage buildings in areas of high to medium seismic risk such as Christchurch
“Applicants to the fund will need to look to match EQUIP funding with local Government, philanthropic, community and their own contributions”.

“In the next few months a comprehensive information package providing guidance to heritage building owners on how to manage strengthening projects will be developed by the Ministry for Culture & Heritage and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

“This Government has taken a measured and targeted approach to earthquake strengthening through the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act passed earlier this year, and the Heritage EQUIP has been developed along similar lines.

“I encourage anyone who is interested to apply for this fund, so that we can protect our cherished heritage sites for future generations,” says Mr Brownlee

An expert advisory panel will be set up to assess applications for EQUIP funding, which open next year.

More information is available on the MCH website: www.mch.govt.nz/heritageequip

ENDS.

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