Gina Rinehart is too rich to require taxpayer-funded subsidies to renovate her houses. That’s why we were so surprised to receive a tip that home improvements at a property owned by her mining firm had apparently been supported by funds from the Heritage Council of Western Australia.
The house in question — an 1860 brick and iron house located in the historic Perth suburb of Guildford — is undergoing renovations, and a sign on the fence says: “Conservation works are being undertaken to this state-registered heritage place with assistance from the Heritage Council’s Heritage Grants Program.”
The home is indeed heritage-listed, and public records reveal it was once owned by an aide-de-camp to the governor of Western Australia. A title deed shows Hancock Prospecting became registered as the owner in 1997, although Rinehart lives elsewhere. According to council documents, Hancock got approval in 2021 for works aimed at demolishing some modern additions to the home and “revealing the original 1860s dwelling and flat-roofed, Tuscan column front entrance”, as well as the addition of a car park and swimming pool.
According to a Guildford resident who requested anonymity, the house is located near a popular dog-walking spot and the sign has drawn some attention from locals.
“I noticed people would stop and read the sign, so I went and had a closer look myself,” the person said. “And I was like ‘What the hell, how does that house qualify for a grant? Why would that money be going to someone like Gina?’”
But it turns out there was no reason to worry about Rinehart receiving any unfair advantage. Hancock Prospecting told Crikey it never received any grant money for the Guildford property, and the WA Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage said the same thing.
A Hancock spokesperson said the misleading sign would be taken down following Crikey’s inquiries.
“Thank you for bringing the sign to our attention. Hancock Prospecting has never applied for a heritage grant for this property, or any property,” the person said. “Nor are we receiving any such funding or any other taxpayer funding for the property. Accordingly, we have asked for the incorrect sign to be removed.”
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