Police officers and Wagga Council workers issuing compliance letters at Wilks Park earlier this month. Photo: Supplied.
Wagga City Council says some rough sleepers living in makeshift camps at Wilks Park have “consistently refused” offers of accommodation, a claim strongly disputed by housing advocates.
The council previously issued letters threatening fines to Wilks Park residents, giving them until Tuesday (August 25) to vacate the area.
However, council rangers did not visit the camps on Tuesday – when every hotel in Wagga was booked out.
As most rough sleepers are being moved into hotels and motels, there were no options to relocate, with the council saying it will take steps to move people on from next week.
“NSW support agency staff and council staff will attend Wilks Park this week to remind people who are staying at the site, in breach of the conditions of stay, that compliance action will be undertaken from next week,” a council spokesperson said.
“Council staff will continue to encourage anyone currently sleeping or residing in any temporary structure to take up the offer of accommodation and support being offered by support services.
“Any individual genuinely engaging with support services with a view to being housed in alternative accommodation will not be the subject of compliance action while those arrangements are being undertaken.
“It is noted that there are several people staying at Wilks Park that have consistently refused to take up offers of accommodation and support.”
However, housing advocate Vickie Burkinshaw said people were not turning down genuine offers of housing.
“People are accepting offers, but they’re realising they’re completely unsuitable,” she said.
“Homes NSW are putting people in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere with no money in their account and expecting them to survive.
“Some people are getting kicked out for breaking rules they didn’t know about.
“This temporary accommodation option of putting people in hotels is not sustainable.”
Ms Burkinshaw again urged the council and the NSW Government to work with local advocates to find permanent solutions.
“All the transitional and emergency housing in Wagga is full. Why can’t we just make people comfortable where they are?” she said.
“If they’re so against people living in Wilks Park, then we can come up with somewhere else – like Wiradjuri Park.”
She said homeless people already facing multiple challenges were being forced to live in fear.
“People are waking up, hiding their tents, because they’re fearing a fine and being moved on. It’s a horrible way for people to live.”
Advocate Tim Verhoef also said the motel solution was failing.
“Just look online. There is nowhere to stay in Wagga tonight, and every hotel in town was booked out last night, too … today we helped someone move into a hotel in Junee.”
Wagga Council said it had continued to give people extra time before taking any formal compliance and enforcement action, with most individuals actively engaging with support services and accepting accommodation.
The council says it has also offered temporary storage to those who need space for personal items, to assist their transition to housing.
