It was the highest grant awarded from Edward River Council’s 2021-22 Local Heritage Fund.
The iconic Conargo Hotel burned down in November 2014 and co-owners finally started construction earlier this year.
The plan is to rebuild the pub in its original style.
In his assessment, council’s heritage advisor Noel Thomson said ‘‘this is an important building for Conargo and its restoration/reconstruction has been long anticipated, and historic facade restoration including painting is welcomed’’.
The paint colour will be in accordance with the heritage of the building.
Co-owner Michael Lodge estimates the facade will be complete by Easter, ‘‘as long as it all goes to plan’’.
Mr Lodge said the windows and doors have just been installed, while the roof trusses will be installed this week.
Following that, insulation, tin and airconditioning will be fitted into the roof.
The building has already received development application approval to be rebuilt in heritage style, and a concrete slab was laid in June this year.
Mr Lodge said council required restoration of the facade rather than rebuilding it in a style which echoed the former pub.
He said the grant from council would only cover a portion of the total cost.
He said the cost of the structural steel required to hold the facade in the interim has cost the pub’s co-owners $50,000.
The Conargo Hotel was the only applicant to receive the full amount of funding requested.
Council approved three other local heritage grants for buildings on Napier, Harfleur, and Henry Sts in Deniliquin.
Council director of infrastructure Mark Dalzell said the heritage officer who recommends the grant sizes felt a ‘‘greater percentage’’ of the $16,250 funding pool should benefit the Conargo Hotel because of its famous facade, a recommendation councillors accepted.
The heritage grants are awarded to help preserve the historic building facades across Edward River.
The other approved projects include roofing replacement at 46 Napier St ($3000), repainting the exterior of 252 Harfleur St ($1750), and replacing a front fence at 337 Henry St ($1500).
One grant application was not awarded because it did not meet the heritage criteria of being visible to the streetscape.
Heritage listed, locally listed and conservation area locations were all eligible.
Under the Local Heritage Fund guidelines, grants must be used before April 30 or the money will be reallocated to the project ranked as next highest in priority.
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