Museum upgrade progresses

Town of Claremont’s historic Freshwater Bay Museum site is being upgraded to support learning opportunities related to local heritage and culture through programs, exhibitions and presentations for the community.

Mayor Jock Barker said the Town was keen to get community feedback on the proposed upgrade as the museum is a popular and significant community asset.  Print advertising, social media and a letterbox drop to all households invited residents to go online to review the proposed plans for the upgrade.

“The responses were supportive and I am glad we were able to provide the opportunity for the community to give their feedback, it is an important part of the process.  Without this step, of engaging our community, the Council would be hesitant to proceed.”

“Based on the feedback, I am pleased to advise that the upgrade and reopening of the Freshwater Bay Museum is a priority for us, and we look forward to moving ahead,” Mayor Jock Barker said.

The project involves upgrading the existing office, museum building and carpark as well as replacing the storage building and renovating the public toilets facility.

The museum was built in 1862 and was the state’s first municipal museum when the Town opened the building in 1975. Two of the buildings were deemed either tired or not fit for purpose, and after extensive community consultation, Council resolved to upgrade the facilities to best meet the future needs of the community.

Project funding allocated in the Town’s budget includes $500,000 for the museum renovations, $200,000 for public toilet facility upgrades, and $130,000 for an upgrade of the carpark. In addition the Town secured a $760,000 Lotterywest grant to include a new community facility to support public programs and activities as part of this $1.26 million project. 

The next step of the project will be to finalise the detailed design for the new building prior to moving to construction tender.