Special Assistance

Section 243 of the Heritage Act 2017 states that ‘The Heritage Council, with the consent of the Minister, may provide special assistance to the owner of a registered place for the purpose of conserving that place.’

Requests
Subject to the information outlined below the Heritage Council will consider requests for remission or deferral of land tax or any relevant rates.

Eligibility
An owner of a property on the Victorian Heritage Register (the Register) is eligible to request remission or deferral of land tax or any relevant rates. This also includes any lessee having both payment liability for land tax or any relevant rates together with responsibility for care and management of relevant cultural heritage assets within the registered place.

Consent
Land tax
Prior to determining if land tax is to be remitted the Heritage Council must first seek the consent of the Minister for Planning and the Treasurer.

Rates
Prior to determining if rates are to be remitted the Heritage Council must first seek the consent of the relevant rating authority or the Minister administering the Act under which the authority is constituted.

Considerations
All requests must include a clear plan for the conservation works to be undertaken if special assistance is provided and must be able to demonstrate the public benefit of the works.

Application
If you are considering applying for special assistance please contact the Heritage Council at heritage.council@delwp.vic.gov.au