The grant will cover a conservation management plan across the Mid North Coast Maritime Museum’s three sites and fund part of the Investigator Building renovation project.

Mid North Coast Maritime Museum president Jan Howison said it was an absolutely great result of three-and-a half-years’ work which had come to fruition.

“We have been extremely fortunate to have had help from members of the community who have donated their time and expertise free of charge which has enabled us to move forward to a stage where we could apply for funding,” she said.

“To now see this come to fruition has made the committee’s long hours and many meetings well worth the effort to achieve this wonderful outcome.”

Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams announced the $95,000 grant on August 21.

“The NSW Government’s Heritage Near Me Local Strategic Project funding will go towards protecting the museum’s three locations including the Pilots Cottages in William Street, the Pilots Boat Shed in Clarence Street and the Hibbard Slipway and Men’s Shed,” she said.

Mrs Williams said the extremely hard working volunteers had step by step over the years continued to improve the museum to protect the heritage assets.

“This is a particularly popular space here at the maritime museum,” she said.

“They receive so many visitors, I think it’s such a good investment by government to support the work they do to protect local heritage assets.”

The three museum sites attract between 8000 and 10,000 people a year.

A consultant will prepare the conservation management plan.

The plan will review the sites and give recommendations around opportunities for current and future use and interpretation.

It will develop a conservation policy, maintenance schedule and implementation strategy.

The state government grant will also fund part of the Investigator Building renovation project at the William Street site.

The committee will seek more funding to finish the renovation project which has an estimated cost of between $110,000 and $140,000. 

The project will involve the engagement of a structural engineer, a development application, project management, labour and materials.

The proposed Investigator Building renovation, when complete, will expand the museum’s capacity.

The renovated building would also be available for community groups to hire.

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