this time last year +has been

[ostap77]

"This last year has been a roller costaer for Drew both physically and emotionally."

Would things like "has been+last year" be frequently used in English?

 

[bhaisahab]

"This last year has been a roller costaer for Drew both physically and emotionally."

Would things like "has been+last year" be frequently used in English?

"This last year has been a roller coaster for Drew both physically and emotionally." This is OK.
With "time", as in your title, it's not OK.

 

[ostap77]

Since we have "last year", doesn't it require the past simple as in "This last year was .........."?

 

[bhaisahab]

Since we have "last year", doesn't it require the past simple as in "This last year was .........."?

No; "This last year..." doesn't require past simple.