Former ABC journalist Moyra Shields joins a homeless woman protesting against the imminent removal of campers at Wilks Park, outside MP Dr Joe McGirr’s office. Photo: Supplied.
Wagga housing advocates have rallied behind 13 homeless people who have been told they must leave their makeshift homes at Wilks Park.
Wagga Wagga City Council rangers attended the North Wagga park on Tuesday, 23 June, issuing Compliance Action Request letters to people staying in the park and surrounding areas. It is understood they have until Tuesday (7 July) to move on.
Housing advocate Vickie Burkinshaw said campers had been left frightened and confused by the lack of information about what would happen next.
“Nobody has been told the plan, which has created fear among the people down there,” she said.
“The people don’t know where they’re going to go. We’re hearing it’ll be hotel rooms, but that’s generally for 72 hours. Why would you give up what you have at a camp and relocate all your belongings just to spend a few days in a hotel room?”
Advocates have helped campers prepare a notice of objection challenging the council’s legal authority to evict them. The document also criticises the management plan and argues suitable alternative accommodation has not been provided.
Ms Burkinshaw said she and other volunteers had undertaken legal observer training and would attend the camp on Tuesday to monitor how campers were treated if compliance officers or police carried out the eviction.
“We’ll put on a barbecue during the day to show them our support,” she said.
Former ABC journalist Moyra Shields has also joined the campaign.
“Imagine if council and government put the same sort of effort into housing people as they do into enforcement to get them to leave,” she said.
Councillor Richard Foley recently spoke to people living at Wilks Park to find out more about the homelessness issue. Photo: Richard Foley/Facebook.
Region asked the council why it had chosen to evict people who had been living at Wilks Park for more than a year.
A council spokesperson claimed the action was initiated by Homes NSW.
“The Compliance Action Request is a direct result of the Homelessness Encampments — Wagga Wagga Emergency Response Plan led by Homes NSW, at the direction of the NSW Premier and NSW Minister for Housing,” the spokesperson said.
“Council has obtained legal advice to ensure that the appropriate legal path is taken and that no-one’s rights are compromised.
“Council is confident that homeless residents of the park who need safe alternatives to camping are being provided with accommodation options and are being supported by Homes NSW, Vinnies and other support agencies.”
However, Homes NSW disputed Wagga Council’s claim that it initiated the eviction notices.
“The claim Homes NSW initiated the removal of rough sleepers from Wilks Park is incorrect. Homes NSW does not have the jurisdiction to do so,” a spokesman said.
Homes NSW said it was working with Wilks Park residents to find them alternative options, claiming that there was sufficient accommodation in Wagga to house them.
The council said it had delayed the enforcement of the conditions of stay at Wilks Park and other locations, noting that some people sleeping rough had nowhere else to go.
Homeless people facing imminent eviction protested outside Wagga MP Joe McGirr’s office on Friday (3 July).
“I am working with Wagga City Council, Homes NSW, St Vincent de Paul, health services and other agencies on a plan led by the Housing Minister and the Premier to transfer the campers into a range of safe and appropriate housing options,” Dr McGirr said.
“Anyone who engages with Homes NSW and partner agencies will continue to be supported with accommodation as they transition into more stable housing.
“No person who engages with Homes NSW and other agencies will lose access to accommodation before an appropriate longer-term housing solution is in place.
“The focus of this plan is to ensure everyone in the camps has a safe place to live with specialised support services provided to address individual needs and ongoing assistance to deliver housing security.”
However, housing advocates argue there is little to no long-term social housing available and fear many of those moved from Wilks Park will end up back on the streets after a few days in motel accommodation.
Homes NSW said there was no limit on how long someone could stay in a temporary-stay location such as a motel.
