FREE LAWYERS IN THE YARRA VALLEY?

Campaign begins for Community Legal Centre for the Yarra Ranges

November 9, 2009

Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) has begun campaigning for a Community Legal Centre based in the Yarra Ranges. Manager Michael Smith said “Eastern CLC is increasingly concerned at the lack of access to legal and related services for the residents and communities of the Yarra Ranges.”

In September, Eastern CLC commenced its Yarra Ranges Project and is undertaking a legal needs study with the support of local agencies and the community. 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 campaign already has the support from a number of key community agencies in the Yarra Ranges including Yarra Valley Community Health, Anglicare and EDVOS. ECLC is also seeking feedback from local residents, to ensure the proposed service meets the needs of the community. An online survey is available and residents are encouraged to participate.

Since the inception of the Outer East CLC based in Boronia in 2005 with state government funding, a number of outreach services have been established to respond to the needs of the Shire of Yarra Ranges with monthly outreach services to Lilydale, Yarra Junction and Healesville. However, ECLC struggles to offer the level of service needed for the Shire’s needs, considering both the levels of disadvantage experienced by a number of communities and the difficulties residents have in accessing assistance.

ECLC has been very active in the response to the February bushfires in partnership with local agencies and still provides a weekly advice service at the Yarra Glen Community Relief and Recovery Centre. Manager, Michael Smith stated that this had 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 Bushfire Legal Help – and continues to work closely with the community for the long-term. However, this has highlighted the need for an ongoing base and presence in the Yarra Ranges – an outreach service is only a temporary and inadequate response.”

Mr. Smith said it was hoped a new centre in the Yarra Ranges would provide free legal advice and support for residents navigating the often complex legal system. A new centre based in the Yarra Ranges would ensure the 140,000 residents are offered the support and advice they are entitled to.

Eastern Community Legal Centre provides legal advice, representation 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 and make an integrated impact for the residents of the municipality of Yarra Ranges.

ECLC is keen to keep the community informed and seeks its support. If you would like to know more about the campaign or complete the survey, contact the Outer East team on 9762 6235 or 1300 79 70 88, or click here to take the survey.