13th February 2018
The Queensgate car park will be closed from Tuesday 3 April to facilitate the car park’s multi-million-dollar refurbishment, as part of the Kings Square Fremantle renewal.
The carpark is expected to be closed for about five months.
We understand this will come as a surprise because we initially told you we did not plan to close Queensgate car park during refurbishment. We don’t like having to make this announcement and we’re sorry that it is going to inconvenience many people.
WHY IS THE CARPARK BEING CLOSED?
It’s all about safety. We decided to close the carpark after receiving the results of extensive structural testing of the carpark’s concrete and steel-reinforcement by Probuild and Sirona’s specialist consultants. It was concluded that work to remediate and protect the structure was far more extensive than anyone had originally expected.
Full closure means that the refurbishment can be finished sooner, it will be safer for the public and construction workers, and will deliver a much better result.
While the carpark is still safe and fit for purpose, a staged refurbishment simply isn’t possible.
WHAT ABOUT THE FREMANTLE INTERNATIONAL STREET ARTS FESTIVAL?
We know how important the Fremantle International Street Arts Festival is to retailers and the local community. With more than 150,000 people expected in the vity centre over the Festival’s four days, we wanted to do our bit to help the Festival to be a success.
That’s why we have insisted the start of refurbishment is delayed until after the Festival.
WHAT WILL BE DONE TO THE CARPARK?
Refurbishing the 40-year-old carpark will involve removing all redundant and corroded steelwork and applying protective coatings to halt any further degradation and substantially increase the car park’s
operational life for decades to come.
We are providing new lighting, bigger lifts, better accessibility, modern equipment, increased security
and a better-looking building.
The Sirona and Probuild teams will be working at a cracking pace to have the car park ready well ahead of the Christmas 2018 shopping period.
WHAT ABOUT PERMIT HOLDERS?
Queensgate’s permanent parking customers will relocate to the Collie Street car park.
WHERE ELSE CAN I PARK IN FREO?
The City of Fremantle has a range of parking options available in the Fremantle city centre.
The soon-to-be-opened 155-bay Cappuccino Strip carpark on the corner of Parry Street and South Terrace will help provide alternate parking.
The Point Street carpark has this month come back under the City’s control and the top level is being reopened adding 105 bays. This is in addition to a temporary carpark recently opened at this location with around 50 bays.
Parking directional signage is also being refreshed to make it easier for motorists find a place to park in Freo.
Go to the City of Fremantle website's parking section for more information on other places to park in Freo.
Secure parking operates 5 other car parks in Fremantle and can be found here.
Otherwise, services such as Parkopedia can provide a broad overview of all available Fremantle parking options. Click here to go to Parkopedia.
