TOO FAR TO GO
Legal Needs Research Calls for A Community Legal Centre for the Yarra Ranges
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) has called on the State and Federal governments to fund a Community Legal Centre based in the Yarra Ranges. The Centre has completed a legal research project highlighting a range of local issues where legal help is required.
The project was supported by a Reference Group of community agencies, police, Council and the Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman MP.
Eastern CLC CEO Michael Smith said the Centre was most concerned at the lack of access to legal and related services for local residents and communities. “ECLC was aware of some issues through our outreach services and bushfire response, but the results of the research were very striking. A large number of residents were unaware of any legal services available to them, and even if they do know, access is highly problematic due to the lack of public transport in the area.”
“A legal appointment with our lawyers is usually about 45 minutes. For Yarra Ranges residents this can become a day trip which is often impossible, especially for parents or people who are working. We have had clients come from East Warburton to our Boronia office for an evening appointment with a lawyer. In our view, this is not an acceptable service.”
In the last year ECLC assisted Yarra Ranges residents in 551 matters, but the vast majority had to go outside the municipality to access that help.
The legal needs study consulted with both local agencies and residents. A range of legal issues were identified, especially family violence and tenancy and housing issues.
The study found that the number of Intervention Orders sought by Victoria Police in response to family incidents was higher than any other municipality in the Eastern region. Police, the Court and agencies identified that the lack of legal and support services, as well as the difficulty in accessing these services due to transport issues creates difficulties for women and children needing assistance.
“Police, family violence support and legal services are working much better and more closely to respond to family violence. But when these services are not available, the system quickly breaks down.” Mr. Smith said. “The safety of women and children is a priority for us but clients from the Yarra Ranges are missing out.”
Tenancy issues were highlighted by the report with 86% of agency staff identifying this as a major concern. Local services for tenants are minimal and other community agencies are leaving their other work to assist residents who have to travel to Melbourne for tenancy hearings.
The campaign already has the support from a number of key community agencies in the Yarra Ranges including Yarra Valley Community Health, Anglicare, EDVOS, Anchor and Victoria Police.
The Reference Group identified Healesville as the preferred site for the new Community Legal Centre. There are high levels of need in this region and the police station has a high workload. A base in Healesville would also be able to respond to the Murrindindi region, an area with no free legal services, an issue exposed by the tragic bushfires.
ECLC has been very active in the response to the February bushfires in partnership with local agencies and still provides an advice service at the Yarra Glen Community Relief and Recovery Centre. CEO Michael Smith stated that this highlighted the urgency of a local service:
“ECLC was already aware of the needs of the local communities and was doing its best with limited resources. When confronted with the devastation of the Black Saturday bushfires, the Centre provided an intensive response – with volunteer and other support – and continues to work closely with the community for the long-term. However, this has highlighted the need for an ongoing base in the Yarra Ranges – an outreach service is only a temporary and inadequate response.”
Eastern Community Legal Centre provides legal advice, assistance and education to a vast area with a population of about 850,000 (about 17% of Victoria’s population). However, it struggles to effectively service the 140,000 residents of the Yarra Ranges municipality. A new Community Legal Centre in the Yarra Ranges would provide free legal advice and support for residents navigating the often complex legal system.
The report and proposal has been presented to the State and Commonwealth governments and other stakeholders. It is available to download here: ECLC Yarra Ranges Project Report. Residents, lawyers and organisations wishing to support the campaign are encouraged to contact the Centre’s Boronia office on 9762 6235 or 1300 79 70 88.