Wagga councillor Richard Foley has asked council to clarify which organisation is responsible for addressing several issues at Wilks Park. Photo: Chris Roe.
Wagga councillor Richard Foley has called for clarity regarding the management and upkeep of Wilks Park.
The North Wagga park serves as a free site for self-contained RVs to stay for up to 72 hours, but many, including Cr Foley, believe the park has been poorly managed in recent times.
In an effort to clean up the park, support the homeless who live there and ensure visitors aren’t taking advantage of the site, Cr Foley and his fellow councillors have agreed that Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) should conduct a report to clarify which organisation is responsible for addressing each issue.
“It’s a very complex situation out at Wilks Park,” Cr Foley said.
“We’ve (WWCC) got Crown land which is not owned by council, but council has to collect rubbish and provide some minor services there, in relation to the toilet block and so on.
“We’ve got a homeless contingent there, some of whom are in urgent need of assistance.
“Then we’ve got people overstaying in caravans beyond 72 hours; we need to maintain 72 hours, obviously, to keep that grey nomad traffic coming through, which is good for business in the city.”
Cr Foley said by clarifying which organisation was responsible for addressing each issue, more pressure would be put on NSW Minister for Housing Rose Jackson to deliver more social housing to Wagga.
“We need to start pushing along these social housing projects in Wagga, which are languishing, particularly the Tolland precinct,” he said.
“There’s just absolutely nothing going on, no building work at all, since they’ve demolished all those homes.
“The homeless situation out at Wilks Park is a glaring reminder of just how poor the situation is.
“I’m trying to put as much pressure as I can, given whatever powers I have, which are limited, to try and get the appropriate authorities and departments to step up.”
Cr Foley said many residents, particularly those in the Tolland precinct, had been left in the dark regarding the development of new social housing in Wagga.
“The proof is in the pudding. Around this city, everyone can see that the Tolland precinct is empty,” he said.
“We’ve got skyrocketing rents, which show no hope in that ever abating.
“We’ve got interest rate rises, which are going to make the investor class jack up the rents again.
“It’s just a vicious circle, and something urgently needs to be done about getting it sorted out.”
The report by Wagga Wagga City Council will be concluded by 9 March.
