Leigh Swansborough and Tim Verhoef assisted the pair after all their clothing was soaked. Photo: Chris Roe.
Two people living in a tent at Victory Memorial Gardens in Wagga have been drenched by a sprinkler, as have their clothes and possessions, with housing advocates concerned about how they’ll cope during an expected cold night.
Wagga Ratepayers Association president Chris Roche said he went to the gardens after reports police had spoken to a man and a woman living there this morning (29 May).
He approached the pair to offer his assistance.
“Whilst we were standing there, somehow, the sprinklers came on full bore in only the area where the tent was situated. All their belongings were saturated,” Mr Roche said.
“That was quite ridiculous. When you get a sprinkler system soaking all your belongings and damaging your electronic devices, you’re going to get angry.”
Mr Roche said he was told the sprinklers also wet the pair earlier in the day. He said he did not know who turned on the watering system or why it came on.
Region asked Wagga Council if it turned on the sprinklers.
“The sprinklers at the Victory Memorial Gardens operate on an automated timer system, as do most of the public parks in our city,” a spokesman said.
Housing advocate Leigh Swansborough also attended the scene to assist the pair.
“All her gear is soaked and we are trying to get it dry so she doesn’t freeze tonight,” she said.
The pair’s clothing dries out. Photo: Chris Roe.
Region asked NSW Police about its involvement in the incident.
“About 8:30 am today (Friday 29 May 2026), police responded to gardens on the corner of Baylis and Morrow streets, Wagga Wagga, following reports of alleged intimidation towards council workers,” a spokesperson said.
“Officers attached to Riverina Police District responded and found two people inside the public toilet block.
“Police issued the pair with a move on direction, which they complied with. No further action will be taken.”
A council spokesperson said: “Council staff have been advised to contact police for assistance if they witness criminal behaviour, or if they are subject to intimidation or threats by any member of the public. Staff cannot ignore serious criminal behaviour that puts members of the public in danger. Today council staff asked police to assist with an incident at the Victory Memorial Gardens and are grateful for their attendance.”
It’s understood the man and woman remain at the gardens and are not required to leave.
Ms Swansborough said governments needed to act to give people like them a place to live.
“They are told there are services that can help them, but these services don’t have anywhere for them to live. Even if they get her to an emergency hotel, she’s back on the street the next day. That’s not a solution,” she said.
She said government was supposedly working on emergency solutions, but nobody knew what they were.
“An emergency would be having RFS tents at the showground, with heating and facilities to get people out of the cold,” she said.
“If Wagga flooded tomorrow, this is what that’d do. This is a humanitarian disaster.”
The incident comes amid growing concern about homelessness in Wagga Wagga following the recent death of a newborn baby after a woman gave birth while living in a tent near Wagga Beach. One of the twins survived, with the tragedy prompting renewed scrutiny of the city’s housing crisis and emergency accommodation system.
Housing advocates say homelessness in Wagga has reached critical levels, with estimates suggesting about 250 people are homeless or experiencing insecure housing across the city and surrounding area on any given night.
