Dixon Street improvement grant

1. Street level major works
• Building works to bring food preparation to the front window to be visible from Dixon Street (required for this type of grant)
• Upgrades to shopfronts
• Upgrades to external signs and lighting
• Installation of larger windows or bi-fold windows (opening up views from Dixon Street)
• Repair or restoration of existing awnings.
2. Street level minor works
• Upgrades to Dixon Street shopfronts
• Upgrades to external signs and lighting
• Installation of larger windows or bi-fold windows (opening up views from Dixon Street)
• Repair or restoration of existing awnings.
3. Upper storey works
• Restoration or installation of signs or street art that maintains Dixon Street’s character
• Cleaning, repairing or repainting external building façade
• Repair or restoration of the awning and upper storey windows
• Removal of redundant air conditioning units, utilities, wiring or fixtures.

• Significant and visible improvements to the shop and building frontages as viewed from Dixon Street
• Design excellence and a response to local heritage and character
• Supports local and small businesses
• Value for money
• How the project meets the funding priorities.

• For information about funding priorities, eligibility and assessment criteria, refer to the Dixon Street improvement grant guidelines.
• Detail about how to apply, design objectives, design references and FAQs can be found in the Dixon Street improvement grant applicant pack.

To be eligible:

• the building must be located on one of the properties highlighted in the map in the grant guideline
• the proposed works must be to a frontage visible from Dixon Street
• the applicant must be the landowner or business occupant with a letter of support from the landowner
• you must have an ABN (Australian Business Number)
• the proposed works will naturally need to meet certain standards including planning regulations, certification regulations and the Building Code of Australia (National Construction Code).
• your proposal may need to go through a development application process
• for street level major works applications (type 1) to be eligible the proposed improvements must bring food preparation to the front window to be visible from Dixon Street, contributing to a ‘chefs gallery’ on Dixon Street.

Funding is not available for:

• purchase of buildings
• extensions or additions to properties
• relocation of businesses
• internal fit outs or works which do not improve the frontage as viewed from Dixon Street
• waiver of fees for development applications, health inspection fees, health approvals, street closures and other approvals and other similar statutory charges
• reimbursement of funds already spent
• operational costs, staffing, wages and marketing
• projects that directly contravene the eligibility and ethics framework or existing City of Sydney policies.

• Meet with the concierge team to discuss your site and what type of improvements could be eligible for grant funding
• Develop your proposal with advice from the concierge team
• You may need to engage a design team
• The team will carry out eligibility, scope of work and design checks.

• Submit your grant application and provide quotes for the proposed work
• For more significant works, the grant payment may be on the condition of an approved development application.

• Your proposal may require a development application consent or complying development certificate.
• The design and planning concierge team can provide advice.
• The applicant will need to make the necessary applications and pay any applicable fees.

• Once you submit your grant application and upload any required approvals or certificates, your grant application will be assessed.
• Recommendations are then made to Council, who decide on the final outcome. You’ll be notified when application will be going to Council, and later notified of the outcome.

If successful, works can start. Grant funding will be provided in 2 staged payments:

• half when works begin
• half when works are completed and verified through a site inspection and review of receipts.