The Illawarra Legal Centre (ILC) has opened its second outreach service in the Southern Highlands.
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The second office opened at the Highlands Community Centre in Bowral on March 4 with several guests in attendance.
Located near the Bowral Library and Bowral Memorial Hall, the ILC will operate once a fortnight on Thursday.
The opening was conducted by Aboriginal Elder Aunty Val who welcomed everyone to country.
"It's great they came here," she said.
"It's a need for all of us."
Solicitor Judi Teesdale said they had already several referrals and thanked the Highlands Community Centre for their support.
"We give advice and refer people to others in the legal profession that can help," she said.
"We can help with tenancy, financial counselling, general law, welfare but we don't help with criminal law."
Highlands Community Centre manager Suzi Kenney said the ILC was a much needed resource for the community.
"It's great we can refer people to the ILC for a face to face appointment," she said.
"We see first hand the effects of the bushfires and COVID has had on clients and it's great we have something in a regional area."
Solicitor Ian Turton said the ILC could help with tenancy, Centrelink, employment and other civil legal matters.
"The ILC is open to all Southern Highland residents and is not means-tested," he said.
Principle solicitor at ILC Phillip Dicalfas said the ILC received funding from the Bushfire Relief grant and found the Southern Highlands needed its services.
"There are legal centres in Wollongong and Campbelltown but not in this area," he said.
"We are looking forward to Judi and company coming here every fortnight to assist residents," he said.
Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones said the ILC was a vital service for the community.
"Congratulations to everyone involved," he said.
"People who need this service the most are the ones that least know how to access it.
"It's absolutely critical and we can help them."
Echoing Mr Jone's sentiments, Wollondilly MP Nathaniel Smith said it was important to have these services.
"As a son of a lawyer, I know how important legal services are," he said.
"I will be promoting these services."
The Illawarra Legal Centre is an independent, not-for-profit, community based legal centre.
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