The deadline for homeless individuals living at Wilks Park in Wagga Wagga, NSW, has passed, with council rangers moving in on July 7 to clear the encampment. Rough sleepers were issued move-on notices by Wagga Wagga Council two weeks prior, ordering them to vacate the park in the Riverina region by that date.
Residents and Advocates React to Eviction
Wilks Park resident JJ, who fought against the deadline, expressed despair at being forced to leave. "I understand we have to go…but we have nowhere to go. All we need is more time," he said. Community advocates gathered at the park throughout the day on July 7, preparing for enforcement. Leigh Swansborough, a community advocate, stated, "We have legal observers, we have a lawyer coming and we have the Wagga community here to show their support to the people who live here who have nowhere to go."
Accommodation Offers Disputed
Homes NSW, working alongside Wagga Wagga Council, claimed that accommodation had been offered to every rough sleeper at the camp. However, homeless individuals reported that they had only been given short-term options of up to seven days. The council said it had extended the timeframe to "allow those living at Wilks Park to engage with Homes NSW."
Council Rangers Remove Campsite
On Tuesday, a team of council rangers arrived and removed what they termed "an abandoned campsite" along the Murrumbidgee River. Community advocate Angelo Tseros described the scene as distressing. "I am just witnessing something that somebody called home be discarded and thrown into rubbish, it’s all they had and now it’s gone," Tseros said. Tim Verhoef, who delivered firewood to residents, called the removal "heartless." "What have we become as a society when we are doing that? It’s ridiculous," he added.
Further Eviction Notices Issued
Wagga Council issued additional notices to rough sleepers at the river and at Oura Beach, giving them until July 21 to leave before enforcement. Local councillor Richard Foley said the notices were "inevitable" due to "long term encampment along the riverbank with rising river levels." He criticized the state government, saying, "The state government and minister have failed this city."
Context of Homeless Crisis
The eviction follows the tragic death of a stillborn baby on Wagga’s riverbank in May, which prompted a visit from Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson. Jackson expressed confidence that "we can offer a place for absolutely everybody." However, community members say they are "yet to see any change" since her visit.
