Library on the move back to Freo's heart

The countdown is on to the opening of Fremantle’s new civic and community hub at Walyalup Koort, in the revitalised heart of the city.

The library at Fremantle Oval will be closed from Monday 8 November so staff can prepare to stock the shelves with thousands of books, magazines and other items at the state-of-the-art new facility.

It will mark a fresh chapter for service delivery and upgraded public facilities for the Fremantle community and an exciting new era for the city.

The library and customer service centre at Walyalup Civic Centre as well as the children’s playground are set to open to the public on Monday 22 November.

The Walyalup Koort (formerly Kings Square) renewal, which includes the FOMO retail development, is the single-biggest redevelopment project in Fremantle’s history.

Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the transition of library services from Fremantle Oval meant the opening of the new community and civic facilities at Walyalup Koort was just around the corner.

“Freo’s heart is pumping again,” she said. “I think the people of Fremantle can feel genuinely excited that the hard work to revitalise their city’s centre is really coming to fruition.”

More than 2,500 new items have been added to the library’s collection in preparation for the re-opening. There will also be longer operating hours and new programs with modern services such as ebooks and audiobooks, book clubs, films, educational games and activities.

The Fremantle History Centre, located within the library, will include digital interactive screens as well as a vast stock of biographical files, newspapers, council minutes and agendas, publications, maps and plans.

“From the currently cramped space at Fremantle Oval to the bright, spacious and modern building at Walyalup Civic Centre, the community are going to have plenty of reasons to love their new library,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

During the closure, borrowed items can be returned to the City’s Customer Service Desk, The Meeting Place, Freo Toy Library and Samson Recreation Centre. For library members’ convenience, the date for current loans has been extended until the library reopens.

Public Wi-Fi will be available at Fremantle Oval through the transition, as well as Walyalup Koort and the Fremantle Arts Centre. Computers with free internet access will be available to use at The Meeting Place on South Terrace Monday to Friday from 9am–4pm.

The Walyalup Koort Playground will also open from Monday 22 November for families to enjoy the Fremantle-themed adventure play space featuring cranes, bridges, train tracks and shipping containers as well as natural elements like water and trees. 

For more information about the Walyalup Koort Renewal Project and the Walyalup Civic Centre, visit walyalupkoort.com.au

The City of Fremantle has been operating from its temporary administration building at Fremantle Oval since December 2017.