THE Shire of Northam has secured funding of $95,000 through the LotteryWest Project Fund to repair the decorative masonry and render of the Northam Town Hall.
The Hon. Mia Davies presented the cheque to the Shire of Northam’s president, Cr Steven Pollard on June 17.
The hall consists of a brick structure including two-storey main hall and single-storey Lesser Hall, with rendered pilasters and pediments and corrugated iron roofs.
Constructed from 1898 to 1901, the Northam Town Hall has considerable architectural merit and is listed on the State Heritage Register and Council’s Municipal Heritage Inventory.
Chief executive Jason Whiteaker said the deterioration of the render is allowing water inundation to the substrate causing dampness and weakening of the buildings fabric.
"If left unrepaired the brickwork will eventually fail leading to the collapse of the building," Mr Whiteaker said.
With the Northam Town Hall having heritage significance, heritage consultants have been involved throughout the process of determining the most appropriate actions to preserve the building and will oversee the project.
This will be undertaken through on going inspections during the repair process which will be carried out by the heritage consultant and the Shire of Northam's Building Department.
“Investing funds into the restoration of the Northam Town Hall will ensure that a significant piece of our communities history is preserved for future generations to enjoy," Shire president Steven Pollard said.
"In addition these works will assist in ensuring that the building does not become a safety risk for the community in the future.”
Work is set to be completed by May 2017.
