I congratulate Inner West Council and Haberfield community on the newly refurbished Haberfield Library and Community Centre.

Haberfield residents have been patiently waiting for the new library to open and are delighted with the result. The new facilities include two new flexible community spaces, meeting rooms, a protected courtyard for children to play in, purpose-built work and study spaces, and internet access throughout the building including outside on the verandah and in the garden. There will now be more bilingual picture books and Italian fiction, as well as more toys - including robots - for kids to play and learn with.

I particularly commend the Inner West Council for their commitment to maintaining the heritage of the building, carefully integrating the old Haberfield School of Arts building, with its rich history and unique character.

Congratulations to the Inner West Council and everyone involved. I especially thank and acknowledge Clr Lucille McKenna, who has been a steadfast, visionary and persistent champion for public spaces in Haberfield.

This is a wonderful outcome for our community and yet another example of exceptional, architecturally designed public space in the Inner West.