The Legal Aid office in Campbelltown hasn’t just been relocated from one end of Queen Street to another.
In anticipation of higher demand for the service, the new office, in 171 Queen Street, is much bigger than its predecessor. To allow for a growing population.
Legal Aid has been operating out of 63 Queen Street for more than 20 years.
Yesterday, local MP Greg Warren joined NSW Attorney General Michael Daley to open the much bigger premises.
Campbelltown City Council forecasts the region’s population will grow from 183,000 to 274,782 people by 2041.
This growth in population is likely to come with higher demand for legal help.
In the 2022-23 financial year, Campbelltown Legal Aid NSW provided 20 per cent more services compared with the previous year.
The office has expanded considerably over time, starting with six staff in 1989 and now has 40 staff covering civil, family and criminal law work.
Early access to legal assistance is crucial to ensuring simple legal issues don’t escalate.
Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren said the work that Legal Aid does in our community was invaluable.
“Providing better offices will allow them to continue to provide support in Campbelltown and beyond.
“As our region expands so too must our support services, and this is a step in the right direction.”
Acting solicitor in charge of Campbelltown Legal Aid NSW Mark Dickha said many of their clients struggle with legal issues that impact on their daily lives such as housing and debt-related issues.
“Our office can help people experiencing legal problems including tenancy, mortgage repayments, employment issues, unpaid fines, and criminal law and family law matters,’’ he said.
“As more people move to the region, demand for help with these types of issues will undoubtedly increase.”
Legal Aid NSW CEO Monique Hitter said access to legal help is essential to prevent small problems from becoming bigger ones and turning into other issues like homelessness or mental health problems.
The Campbelltown office can be contacted via Law Access NSW on 1300 888 529.
Pictured above are NSW Attorney General Michael Daley, Legal Aid NSW CEO Monique Hitter, acting solicitor in charge of Campbelltown Legal Aid NSW Mark Dickha and Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren cutting the ribbon at thew new office yesterday.
