Awards & Grants
The Timaru Civic Trust (TCT) has established a Heritage Grant Fund to assist owners of heritage buildings within the Timaru District with funding available for maintenance, repairs and seismic strengthening to these buildings.
TIMARU CIVIC TRUST - CRITERIA FOR HERITAGE GRANTS
The Timaru Civic Trust (TCT) has established a Heritage Grant Fund to assist owners of heritage buildings within the Timaru District with funding available for maintenance, repairs and seismic strengthening to these buildings.
The purpose of this fund is to encourage and assist owners of heritage buildings to preserve their buildings in order to safeguard the established character and identity of Timaru and ensure that they remain part of our ongoing civic legacy, into the future.
An initial fund of $20,000 has been established, with an additional $10,000 being added to the fund at the end of each subsequent financial year, or at the Trust's discretion.
REQUESTS FOR FUNDING
Requests for funding shall be made in writing and addressed to: The Chairman, Timaru Civic Trust, PO Box 125, Timaru, 7940. The decision on the request for funding will be made by the Trust's Board and the applicant will receive written notification of that decision.
CRITERIA FOR FUNDING
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The TCT Board will assess the merits of any funding application based generally on the following criteria and this assessment will inform the decision to grant funds:
As part of its assessment, the Board may wish to engage directly with the applicant in order to clarify the details of the application, to obtain further information, or to arrange a visit to the heritage building. The Board's assessment of an application will remain confidential and any decision is not open to debate.
NOTIFICATION OF DECISION
The decision on the request for funding will be made by the Trust's Board at one if its monthly board meetings following the receipt of a written application. The applicant will subsequently receive written notification of that decision.
PAYMENT OF THE GRANT FUNDING
Paid invoices, confirming expenditure of the allocated sum on the authorised work, will be submitted to TCT prior to any payment being made.
The purpose of this fund is to encourage and assist owners of heritage buildings to preserve their buildings in order to safeguard the established character and identity of Timaru and ensure that they remain part of our ongoing civic legacy, into the future.
An initial fund of $20,000 has been established, with an additional $10,000 being added to the fund at the end of each subsequent financial year, or at the Trust's discretion.
REQUESTS FOR FUNDING
Requests for funding shall be made in writing and addressed to: The Chairman, Timaru Civic Trust, PO Box 125, Timaru, 7940. The decision on the request for funding will be made by the Trust's Board and the applicant will receive written notification of that decision.
CRITERIA FOR FUNDING
- Any grant of funding is entirely at the discretion of the Timaru Civic Trust (TCT).
- This grant is available to all building owners, including private individuals, corporates and community groups.
- The grant of funding is restricted to buildings within the Timaru Metropolitan area.
- The funding is to be used for physical building works only (not reports, assessments or design work).
- This grant is not restricted to Listed heritage buildings, but priority will be given to buildings with higher heritage value or architectural significance and to those buildings with greater public prominence.
- The financial assistance provided for any application/building will normally be restricted to a maximum sum of $10,000.
- Grants will primarily be used for preserving or repairing the external fabric of a building or structural upgrade work associated with seismic strengthening of the building. Funding may also be considered for repair the internal fabric of a heritage building, which has significant heritage value and 'is publicly accessible.
- All grant applications must be accompanied by a completed application form and include a detailed description of the proposed works, specifically stating what the grant funding will be used for, and including a quotation from the contractor(s) who will carry out those works.
- Any associated drawings, specification or reports associated with the proposed works shall be submitted to the TCT to accompany any application for funding.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The TCT Board will assess the merits of any funding application based generally on the following criteria and this assessment will inform the decision to grant funds:
- The heritage significance, architectural merit and public prominence of the building concerned
- The perceived effect of the proposed works on the heritage value of the building and its local setting
- Are the planned works sensitive to the historic character of the building and will they enhance or improve the heritage qualities of the building?
As part of its assessment, the Board may wish to engage directly with the applicant in order to clarify the details of the application, to obtain further information, or to arrange a visit to the heritage building. The Board's assessment of an application will remain confidential and any decision is not open to debate.
NOTIFICATION OF DECISION
The decision on the request for funding will be made by the Trust's Board at one if its monthly board meetings following the receipt of a written application. The applicant will subsequently receive written notification of that decision.
PAYMENT OF THE GRANT FUNDING
Paid invoices, confirming expenditure of the allocated sum on the authorised work, will be submitted to TCT prior to any payment being made.
Case Study: Case Study: Dominion Hotel
A Landmark Restored with Timaru Civic Trust Support
First Impressions Matter
As you turn the corner into Timaru’s Stafford Street, one building dominates the view: the Dominion Hotel. For over 110 years its Edwardian façade has been a defining feature of the CBD, a landmark that sets the tone for the city centre. But by the late 2010s, the building’s exterior was in need of urgent attention. Its paintwork was tired, Covid-19 had delayed restoration, and escalating costs threatened to put the project indefinitely on hold. That’s where the Timaru Civic Trust were able to help.
Background
The Dominion Hotel has stood proudly at the top end of Stafford Street since 1912, a Category 2 heritage-listed building recognised for its architectural character and historic significance. Built by John Reilly and opened in December of that year, it occupies land once granted to George Rhodes in the 1850s. When Rilla and Bernie Sugrue purchased the building in 2017, they were determined to give it the attention it deserved, starting with a major exterior makeover. However, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed progress and costs escalated far beyond their original $100,000 estimate.
The Challenge
The Dominion Hotel faces the same pressures as many heritage buildings: earthquake-prone regulations, rising costs, and uncertainty about long-term strengthening. In 2020 it was formally rated at just 5% of the new building standard, requiring seismic work by 2032. While engineers advised it was structurally sound, the financial weight of compliance made visible restoration more difficult to prioritise. Despite these challenges, the Sugrues wanted to “do up the front for the community” – to demonstrate that heritage can be cared for and to ensure the hotel’s proud façade remained part of everyday Timaru life.
The Role of the Timaru Civic Trust
Through its Heritage Grant Fund, the Timaru Civic Trust was able to provide support to ensure this significant exterior project could proceed. Scaffolding went up, contractors were engaged, and the Dominion Hotel’s main street presence was finally given the attention it deserved.
“We were proud to enable this project to go ahead,” a spokesperson for the Civic Trust said. “The Dominion Hotel is a prominent building at the entrance to Stafford Street. For many people, it shapes their very first impression of the CBD. Supporting its restoration means protecting both our heritage and our civic identity.”
The Impact
The Civic Trust reflected: “Seeing the end result is incredibly rewarding – not just for the owners, but for the whole community. This project proves that investing in heritage is really an investment in Timaru’s identity and future.”
Looking Ahead
As the Dominion Hotel neared its 115th year, its renewed exterior now stands as a visible reminder that heritage is about the past and the ongoing life of our town. The Timaru Civic Trust was proud to support one of Timaru’s most prominent landmarks.
Invitation to Apply
The Dominion Hotel is just one example of how the Timaru Civic Trust Heritage Grant Fund can make a difference.
“We invite other building owners to come forward and apply. Together we can ensure Timaru’s heritage buildings remain strong, vibrant, and a source of pride for future generations.” – Timaru Civic Trust
As you turn the corner into Timaru’s Stafford Street, one building dominates the view: the Dominion Hotel. For over 110 years its Edwardian façade has been a defining feature of the CBD, a landmark that sets the tone for the city centre. But by the late 2010s, the building’s exterior was in need of urgent attention. Its paintwork was tired, Covid-19 had delayed restoration, and escalating costs threatened to put the project indefinitely on hold. That’s where the Timaru Civic Trust were able to help.
Background
The Dominion Hotel has stood proudly at the top end of Stafford Street since 1912, a Category 2 heritage-listed building recognised for its architectural character and historic significance. Built by John Reilly and opened in December of that year, it occupies land once granted to George Rhodes in the 1850s. When Rilla and Bernie Sugrue purchased the building in 2017, they were determined to give it the attention it deserved, starting with a major exterior makeover. However, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed progress and costs escalated far beyond their original $100,000 estimate.
The Challenge
The Dominion Hotel faces the same pressures as many heritage buildings: earthquake-prone regulations, rising costs, and uncertainty about long-term strengthening. In 2020 it was formally rated at just 5% of the new building standard, requiring seismic work by 2032. While engineers advised it was structurally sound, the financial weight of compliance made visible restoration more difficult to prioritise. Despite these challenges, the Sugrues wanted to “do up the front for the community” – to demonstrate that heritage can be cared for and to ensure the hotel’s proud façade remained part of everyday Timaru life.
The Role of the Timaru Civic Trust
Through its Heritage Grant Fund, the Timaru Civic Trust was able to provide support to ensure this significant exterior project could proceed. Scaffolding went up, contractors were engaged, and the Dominion Hotel’s main street presence was finally given the attention it deserved.
“We were proud to enable this project to go ahead,” a spokesperson for the Civic Trust said. “The Dominion Hotel is a prominent building at the entrance to Stafford Street. For many people, it shapes their very first impression of the CBD. Supporting its restoration means protecting both our heritage and our civic identity.”
The Impact
- A significant restoration, not a quick fix – the project involved a large-scale exterior paint job and upgrades requiring scaffolding and professional input. It was a substantial investment in preserving the building’s long-term character.
- A revitalised streetscape – the renewed façade immediately lifted the appearance of Stafford Street, reinforcing Timaru’s character as a city proud of its heritage.
- Community pride – the owners’ motivation to improve the building “for the community” aligns directly with the Civic Trust’s mission of safeguarding heritage as part of Timaru’s shared civic legacy.
- Momentum for future work – while seismic strengthening remains a challenge, the project shows that heritage restoration can be tackled in meaningful stages.
The Civic Trust reflected: “Seeing the end result is incredibly rewarding – not just for the owners, but for the whole community. This project proves that investing in heritage is really an investment in Timaru’s identity and future.”
Looking Ahead
As the Dominion Hotel neared its 115th year, its renewed exterior now stands as a visible reminder that heritage is about the past and the ongoing life of our town. The Timaru Civic Trust was proud to support one of Timaru’s most prominent landmarks.
Invitation to Apply
The Dominion Hotel is just one example of how the Timaru Civic Trust Heritage Grant Fund can make a difference.
“We invite other building owners to come forward and apply. Together we can ensure Timaru’s heritage buildings remain strong, vibrant, and a source of pride for future generations.” – Timaru Civic Trust
Timaru, circa 1883, Dunedin, by Burton Brothers. Purchased 1999 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa (O.034093)
