The Nowa Nowa Rail Bridge will be brought back to life with the State Government helping revive and restore some of Victoria’s most treasured heritage landmarks after they were damaged by natural disasters through a new grants program.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny last week announced the recipients of the first round of Disaster Recovery Heritage Grants for heritage sites damaged by floods, storms and bushfires.
The grants will restore key community landmarks, including the Rail Bridge at Nowa Nowa, which will receive $230,000 for vital repairs, and the Walhalla Bandstand, which will undergo conservation repair works thanks to $120,000 in funding.
“We’re not just restoring heritage landmarks – we’re ensuring these sites are better equipped to withstand future floods and natural disasters that come their way,” Minister Kilkenny said.
“By supporting the recovery of these much-loved landmarks, we’re making sure they remain a source of pride, identity, and connection for their communities while keeping them alive as part of our state’s rich history.”
The Disaster Recovery Heritage Grants program was launched last year to help repair heritage sites impacted by extreme weather events, particularly to help small community organisations that needed more support after their insurance and damages were assessed following the October 2022 floods.