A fine Wagga Council issued to a pensioner on Monday. Photos: Supplied.
Housing advocates have condemned Wagga Wagga City Council for issuing a $110 fine to a disabled pensioner living in a bus at Wilks Park.
The man was among at least three people fined by council compliance officers on Monday (31 August) after allegedly refusing to leave the park.
Council compliance officers and NSW Police had previously visited Wilks Park on 11 August, issuing dozens of letters telling people they had to vacate the site by Tuesday, August 25, or risk being fined.
Many rough sleepers at the park had been offered what the NSW Government calls “temporary accommodation” – essentially hotels and motels.
But with every hotel room in Wagga booked out on 25 August, council officers did not undertake any compliance action that day.
At least three people were issued fines on Monday, including the disabled pensioner living in the bus.
The fines were issued for failing to comply with the “terms of a notice erected by council”.
Housing advocates noted that the police and compliance officers had been respectful and courteous, but the issuing of penalty notices was distressing for people who had nowhere else to go.
“I really don’t know what they are supposed to do; they don’t have the money to pay the fines,” Tim Verhoef said.
He said moving into a hotel was not the answer because people did not want to give up all their possessions to move into a small room temporarily.
Wagga Council defended its actions in a statement released on Monday.
“Council staff and NSW support agency staff are attending Wilks Park from today as part of a three-day compliance operation to address ongoing breaches of the site’s conditions of stay,” a spokesperson said.
“Throughout the operation, council staff will continue to encourage anyone sleeping or residing in temporary structures at the site to take up the accommodation and support services being offered. Homes NSW and Vinnies have continued to actively engage with people living at Wilks Park and other identified homelessness encampments, offering accommodation and support to assist with relocation.
“Most individuals have actively engaged with support services and accepted accommodation options. Council has provided additional time for people to make arrangements before commencing formal compliance action and has offered temporary storage facilities to assist those transitioning into housing.”
The council said it would not fine people who engaged with support services.
“However, several people staying at Wilks Park have consistently declined offers of accommodation and support. Compliance action will now be undertaken where individuals continue to stay at the site in breach of the conditions of stay.”
Wagga councillor Richard Foley said fines were not the answer.
“It’s a pointless exercise to issue fines to people who don’t have the capacity to pay,” he said.
“But while council are looking like the bogeyman, it’s the NSW Government who are at fault. I offered them a positive solution to this crisis immediately after a baby died in the tent, but they have ignored us.”
Councillor Richard Foley has spoken to people living at Wilks Park to find out more about the issue. Photo: Richard Foley/Facebook.
In May, Cr Foley sent Housing Minister Rose Jackson a submission outlining a pilot proposal to establish a modular tiny-home village supported by wraparound services to address the homelessness crisis.
He said he had not even received an acknowledgment of his submission.
Wagga Council said it would also continue to clean up former campsites and restore Wilks Park to its intended use for the wider community.
“Wilks Park is a primitive campground that provides basic facilities and permits stays of up to 72 hours,” a spokesperson said.
Kira Levin, principal solicitor of the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service at the Justice and Equity Centre, said anyone who received a council fine should seek legal advice from her organisation or Legal Aid NSW.
She also said fines were the wrong approach.
“Enforcement like this doesn’t work; you’re moving the problem somewhere else or forcing people into hiding, which puts them more at risk,” Ms Levin said.
“It’s disappointing that they’ve got to the point where council is fining people.”
Ms Levin said the problem was that there was no long-term plan for people experiencing homelessness.
“People know their only option is to move into a hotel or hide.”
