First established and funded by a NSW Labor Government in1983 under the Community Justice Centres Act 1983, Community Justice Centres have been providing free and confidential mediation by trained professionals.
Helping people solve disagreements (or resolve disputes) without going to court in neighbourhood and strata title issues relating to noise and privacy, overhanging trees, dogs and other pets, boundary disputes and access to properties, renovations and building work, and use of common property.
Community Justice Centres also provide mediation for tenants and landlords, partners and families, and in schools, workplaces, business, and incorporated associations like sporting groups.
There are thirty-eight Community Justice Centres across New South Wales and, four of these are in the Northern Rivers region of the state at Ballina, Clarence Valley, Lismore and Tweed Heads.
Sadly, forty-two years later, it is another NSW Labor Government under Premier Chris Minns which decided to repeal the Act and is closing all the centres by 30 June this year.
Although to be fair, it was the NSW Berejiklian Coalition Government whose budgetary measures redistributing general funding, led to a reduction in total funding of the scheme which in turn inevitably reduced the level of services to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in some areas.
Local Government NSW, media release, 31 January 2025:
CLOSURE OF FREE MEDIATION SERVICES A COSTLY BARRIER TO JUSTICE
The peak body for local government in NSW is calling on the State Government to reverse its decision to close all Community Justice Centres (CJCs) in June.
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said shutting down the free mediation service would have devastating consequences for some of the state’s most disadvantaged residents.
“CJCs offer an equitable legal pathway that vulnerable people in our communities might not otherwise afford, providing mediation and dispute resolution services and avoiding costly formal legal action,” Mayor Miller said.
“Whether it be a dispute over fencing, overhanging branches, pets, privacy, access to land, or building/renovation works, the mediation services provided by CJCs are critical to helping communities resolve issues outside of court,” she said.
“I have heard from mayors and councillors across NSW that the elimination of CJCs will create a costly barrier to justice. Individuals and families in vulnerable circumstances will feel the biggest impact, especially in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,” Mayor Miller said.
“It will also force many residents to turn to formal legal channels - if they can afford them - clogging the courts, tying up police resources, and delaying outcomes for countless individuals and families,” Mayor Miller said.
In 2022-23, 79% of CJC mediated neighbourhood disputes were resolved. Mayor Miller said that removing options for free mediation would be corrosive to social cohesion, potentially escalating tensions.
“The lack of consultation with councils in reaching this decision is deeply disappointing. Late last year LGNSW wrote to the NSW Attorney General expressing concern about reports that all CJCs would be closed from 30 June 2025,” Mayor Miller said.
“The NSW Attorney General has now responded confirming the closure. LGNSW strongly opposes this move and urges the State Government to reconsider and commit to funding CJCs beyond June 2025,” Mayor Miller said.
There reportedly been some discussion re replacing existing centres with a limited mediation service administered by the Department of Communities and Justice, that will only deal with court-mandated referrals where the dispute had reached the level of Apprehended Personal Violence Orders.
