Two tents have re-emerged at Wilks Park, while there are also council signs warning about parvovirus risks (inset). Photos: Supplied.
Two tents occupied by rough sleepers reappeared at Wilks Park on the weekend, frustrating Wagga Council’s and Homes NSW’s plans to clear the site of homeless people and move them into alternative accommodation.
The park is also displaying signs warning people about the presence of canine parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that can cause serious illness and death in dogs.
The council has been clearing up former campsites over the past month to return Wilks Park to its intended use as a primitive campground, where stays are limited to 72 hours. People staying at the park who refuse to leave have been issued fines, while Homes NSW has been offering alternative accommodation. As a result, the site was near empty last week.
Housing advocate Vickie Burkinshaw criticised this approach, saying the lack of permanent housing in Wagga means most people are being put into hotels and motels.
“People can’t stay in hotels long-term, they’re bound to return to the park,” she said last week.
“You’re not solving the homeless problem, you’re just hiding it.”
Sure enough, two tents appeared back on the site over the weekend, while other people have been seen dragging camping gear into surrounding shrubland, where it is harder for authorities to find them.
One person has camped in heavy bushland to avoid detection.
Homelessness advocate Tim Verhoef said he had heard from people who were unable to remain in their hotels and had subsequently returned to the park.
Homes NSW said it was not aware of anyone being evicted from temporary accommodation.
“Homes NSW is committed to ensuring experiences of homelessness are rare, brief and not repeated, and to exploring new ways to help people find safe and secure housing,” a spokesperson said.
When asked by Region whether Wagga Council would issue fines to people returning to Wilks Park, a spokesperson said its position remained the same.
“Council’s position, that it will not impose fines on people experiencing homelessness who are engaging with support services, has not changed.”
Region also asked the council about the parvovirus risk at the park.
“Initial indicators of canine parvovirus (CPV) were found in two deceased dogs found at a campsite in Wilks Park,” a spokesperson said.
“However, follow-up testing has failed to find parvovirus in another 14 dogs from the same family of dogs.
“Parvovirus can remain active in soils for extended periods, so the source of infection is unclear – in particular as other dogs in close proximity have not been infected.”
Canine parvovirus is highly contagious among dogs but cannot be passed from dogs to humans.
“To address the potential impact of the existence of parvovirus, council has erected parvovirus warning signs which enable Wilks Park to remain accessible for its recreational uses. This response is considered proportional to the risk posed,” the spokesperson said.
“It should be noted that concerned dog owners who visit Wilks Park with their pets are encouraged to take appropriate precautions such as ensuring their pets are vaccinated, following good hygiene practices or avoiding Wilks Park altogether if they are concerned over the potential existence of parvovirus.”
Wagga Ratepayers President Chris Roche says it’s encouraging that Homes NSW has moved some people out of the park and into permanent housing.
“But the question is how many remain in hotels? That’s expensive and not sustainable; it would be better to set up a proper camp,” he said.
Mr Roche, Wagga councillor Richard Foley and other homelessness advocates have continually urged the council and Homes NSW to establish a serviced temporary camp at the Wiradjuri Reserve, backed by wraparound support services.
They argue such a facility would provide people experiencing homelessness with a safer and more stable alternative to sleeping rough, while potentially being cheaper than placing people in hotels and motels that are targeted at tourists and business people.
However, Homes NSW has rejected the idea, saying it is not part of its homelessness strategy.
Wagga Council is also not interested in the concept. It has repeatedly said it is not a housing or homelessness service provider.
“Any future proposal involving temporary or transitional accommodation would need to be considered in conjunction with Homes NSW and appropriate housing and support service providers, including responsibility for site management, infrastructure, service delivery and ongoing operation,” a spokesperson said.
