The
City of Greater Geelong is redeveloping the beloved Chilwell Library, located
in Sladen Park on Russell Street, Newtown.
To
facilitate construction, the library temporarily closed on 29 June 2025 to allow for the decanting of collections, furniture, and equipment.
Construction is scheduled to commence on 7 July, with the library
expected to reopen in mid-2026.
The
redevelopment will preserve the library’s intimate, community-focused character
while enhancing its connection to the surrounding park and introducing new,
flexible spaces for broader community use.
The
revitalised library will be bigger and filled with natural light, offering
meeting rooms, a welcoming outdoor deck, and improved amenities including
public toilets.
The
total project budget for this significant upgrade is $2.5 million, supported by
a $150,000 grant from the Victorian Government’s Living Libraries
Infrastructure Program.
The
City is working closely with the Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC)
and the Chilwell Library Group to ensure the upgraded facility reflects the
needs of the local community.
Community
members are encouraged to visit nearby libraries during the temporary closure:
- Geelong Library & Heritage
Centre (The Dome) – 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong
- Geelong West Library – 153A
Pakington Street, Geelong West
- Belmont Library – 163 High
Street, Belmont
- Highton Library – Roslyn Road
(corner Belle Vue Avenue), Highton
Greater
Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
Chilwell
Library is a cherished local hub, and this redevelopment will ensure it
continues to serve the community for generations to come.
It
was important that we worked closely with GRLC and Chilwell Library Group to
design a welcoming space that meets the needs of the community.
State
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens MP
The Chilwell library has been a
highly valued community asset for many years.
This
redevelopment will modernise its services and accessibility, ensuring the
Chilwell library meets the needs of the community into the future.
Geelong
Regional Libraries CEO Vanessa Schernickau
Libraries are very often the
heart of a local community, and that is especially the case with Chilwell
Library.
The
community embraces the library for everything from early literacy programs to
tech help to browsing our vast collections, or sometimes simply a welcoming
place to connect with others.
We’re
grateful to the City of Greater Geelong and the State Government for funding
this redevelopment and can’t wait to see the new space.
Chilwell
Library Group member Lynne Dowling
We have worked for eight years to
retain their library and achieve the improvements.
Our
members have been strong representatives of the former City of Newtown.
The
mother of Dorothy Trezise, our oldest member, was Zillah Crawcour, the first
female Mayor of Newtown. Dorothy was Mayoress for her mother.
Jan
Laidlaw was the second female Mayor of Newtown. Over many years these women,
and our other members, have continued to work for the benefit of the community
of Newtown and Chilwell, and continue to do so.
For
more information and project updates, visit: geelongaustralia.com.au/clr/