Mark Coure is fighting for greater access to community legal facilities

After hearing the concerns of local residents, Member for Oatley, Mark Coure, is fighting to see the old Kogarah Local Court converted into a community legal centre.

Mr Coure has written to the NSW Attorney General, Mark Speakman, for his review of this request while noting the limited access to free community based legal services for St George residents and their families.

“The St George area is serviced by the Marrickville Legal Centre, a facility that can take up to an hour to reach on public transport,” Mr Coure said.

“Everyone deserves access to a community legal centre and I continually hear feedback from local residents about their inability to travel to the Marrickville Legal Centre and many of them subsequently go without proper legal representation and advice.”

Opening in 1918, the Kogarah Local Court was in operation for almost 100 years before local court sittings ceased in July 2015. The courthouse has now been cleared out.

“In its almost 100 year history, the Kogarah Local Court was a critical part of the St George community, allowing cases to be heard locally, with residents now having to travel to Sutherland for local court proceedings.”

“This unused space can best be utilised as a community legal centre where local residents can access advice and legal services close to home and in close proximity to public transport.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity to revitalise the precinct, create jobs and better serve the needs of our local area.”

“Access to legal support services is a critical component of any democratic society and this is why I believe community legal services need to be more accessible for St George residents.”

“I will continue to fight for increased access to community legal services because I understand the impacts that this has had on local residents and with greater representation and services, we can better ensure fairness within our legal system.”

For more information about community legal centres, please visit: https://www.clcnsw.org.au/find-legal-help