By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM’S inadequate justice system is crumbling under the strains of a booming population with residents forced to travel to Sunshine or the Melbourne CBD to access services, according to a legal assistance provider.
Senior Policy Lawyer at the Wyndham Legal Service, Shorna Moore, said the lack of services meant Wyndham residents were being failed by their governments.
“Limited service provision remains a key issue in Wyndham especially in terms of justice services. By simply providing limited outreach services in Wyndham, governments are failing to meet the needs of the rapidly growing population and putting more stress on those who live in outer-metropolitan areas,” Ms Moore said.
Last week the Wyndham Legal Service released Outer Sight Out of Justice Report along with the President of the Law Institute of Victoria, Geoff Bowyer.
The report highlights the work of the Wyndham Legal Service and peak regional advocacy group, Committee for Wyndham, both of which are lobbying the State Government to support the development of an Integrated Werribee Justice Precinct.
CEO of Committee for Wyndham, Chris Potaris, said the campaign would start with a round table of concerned stakeholders.
“This unprecedented advocacy and engagement strategy will ensure that the inspirational work instigated by the Wyndham Legal Service is brought to the fore and receives the recognition and support that our community deserves,” he said.
The report claims that Wyndham has an old and inappropriate court building that does not meet the community’s needs, limited physical presence of Victoria Legal Aid, a single community legal centre whose resources restrict its community outreach, a police station that cannot even accommodate its staff, and other significant issues.
“It is a commonly held view within Wyndham that the Werribee Magistrates’ Court has outgrown its current useful life and is now a security risk for the public. The Court was built in 1980 to service a population of up to 40,000 residents,” Ms Moore said.
“With a current population of nearly 200,000 residents, the Court has not grown since it was first established. On a busy day when the court is full, it is common to see people sitting on the brick floors of the building or waiting outside in the open.”
