Restarting Freo after COVID-19

As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease across the state, we’ve been busy working on a safe and staged approach to re-opening our facilities and services.

Firstly, you’ll notice that our re-opened facilities and services will look a little different with safety measures in place that are in line with the state government’s physical distancing guidelines.

While we know how super exciting it is to finally get out of the house, we don’t want to undo all the hard work we’ve put in to stop the spread of COVID-19. So please avoid close contact with others while in public, follow healthy hygiene protocols and, of course, stay home if you’re feeling unwell.

With that said, here’s a recap of things you can do in the City of Fremantle:

The library is now open seven days a week (10am–5pm Monday to Friday, 9am–1pm Saturday and 11am–3pm Sunday), and has already been super popular with more than 100 people visiting each day in the first week.

A maximum of 20 customers are allowed inside at a time, with visits limited to one hour.

Access to our loans and returns services are running as normal, but to ensure the utmost levels of health and safety we are quarantining all returned books for 24 hours before putting them back on the shelf. Inside, you’ll also have access to our computers, printing and photocopying services.

The Fremantle History Centre is also operating, but the Justice of the Peace service, Wanjoo Lounge drop-in space for over 55s and Freo Toy Library will remain closed at this time.

Fremantle Library’s housebound service is continuing on a weekly basis. 

For those who are still self-isolating at home, our popular housebound service is continuing on a weekly basis.

We are still delivering library resources to library members residing in the City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle Local Government areas. We’re also exploring ways to expand this service to include toys from the Freo Toy Library – so stay tuned!

To arrange delivery of library resources, including books, magazines, DVDs and CDs, email [email protected]. You can also browse the Fremantle Library catalogue at fremantle.spydus.com.

It’s a wonderful sight to see our favourite restaurants, cafes and bars start to reopen (Visit Fremantle has you covered with a handy list of what’s open). So come on down and take advantage of our free on-street parking that’s available until the end of the month. However, please remember to obey parking time limits, as parking officers are back on the street to remind vehicle owners.

Soak up these last days of warm weather before winter kicks in with a picnic in the park, outdoor barbecue or swim at the beach. All of our toilets, showers, barbecues, shelters and drinking fountains are now opened and are being cleaned regularly. Playgrounds and skate parks are not able to be opened just yet, but stay tuned for further updates.

Public facilities at Esplanade Reserve are now open. 

Some of Freo’s winter sporting clubs are back at training on our reserves after completing the state government’s COVID-19 Safety Plan. We’ve been working closely with local sports organisations to support them through the strict protocols inside the plan. We’re also working to re-open our community facilities such as North Fremantle Community Centre and Sullivan Hall. We’ve got some major renovation works scheduled at the Town Hall so this won’t be open again for some time.

For your convenience, our award-winning customer service team has returned to the City of Fremantle administration building at Fremantle Oval. The customer service desk is now open Monday to Friday from 8am–5pm to answer queries, process applications and permits and accept EFTPOS payments. Of course, you can always transact most business with the City online as well, via our website fremantle.wa.gov.au, or over the phone: 1300 MY FREO (1300 693 736).

While the Fremantle Community Legal Centre continued providing over the phone consultations during the shutdown, it will now resume in-person services when the office reopens on Monday 25 May. Services include legal advice, document drafting, mediation, court representation and more for low-income earners. Click here to learn more about its services on offer and areas of practice.

In case you haven’t heard, the Fremantle Recycling Centre is offering City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle residents a free drive-thru drop-off service for unwanted recyclables. Residents will need photo ID and a recent bill to verify their residency.

The drive-thru service is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8am to 4pm and Saturdays from 8am-12noon. Click here to find out what items can be recycled.

Fremantle Recycling Centre is operating a drive-thru drop-off service.