Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the NSW Government’s Heritage Near Me Local Strategic Project funding would go towards conserving O’Connell’s earth-building history.

“This project aims to secure the sustainable future of historic earth buildings in the village of O’Connell,” Mr Toole said.

“It will implement a program of earth-building conservation at a number of locations and will incorporate a training program for owners and managers and other interested industry professionals who work with earth architecture relating to these type of buildings.

“A heritage trail interpreting this significant aspect of local heritage will also be implemented.”

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Mr Toole said the University of Sydney will also use the buildings involved in the project to explore the way it teaches its Masters of Heritage Conservation degree.

“Heritage is an important foundation of local communities. Items, places and stories tell us where we have come from and how communities have grown and changed,” he said.

“Helping communities to conserve and share their local heritage is a key feature of the Heritage Near Me Local Heritage Strategic Projects funding stream.”

Priority is given to projects that are collaborative and multi-disciplinary, support long-term sustainability through the transfer of skills, knowledge and experience, address an identified community need and increase awareness of local heritage values.

For more information on the Heritage Near Me program, which offers a range of grant programs for communities, owners and managers of heritage items, visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritage-near-me