CHRISTOPHER Matthews' days are numbered, but he won't give up without a fight.
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The 63-year-old homeless man has set up camp in Wilks Park and may be one of the first evicted after Wagga City Council passed new regulations on Monday.
The rule change means only self-contained caravans can stay at the site and only for a maximum of 72 hours.
"Tell them to come down and throw me out, and bring the cops, I tell them now I don't give a stuff," Mr Matthews said.
The park has been a favourite of his, on and off, for almost six years and he has spent the past week in his tent.
"This is public land, it belongs to the public," Mr Matthews said.
That was once true and free camping has always been possible because the land was owned by the Crown.
But last year council began the process of taking control of the land in response to squatters who made a mess of the area.
Yesterday there were nine caravans at Wilks Park and two camp sites.
On Monday, Wagga’s new councillors approved the change of use which will allow up to 74 caravans to be in the area at any time.
A number of councillors expressed concerns, including managing waste and enforcing the new restrictions, but the changes were passed.
“I have some concern with this issue; is council now competing for business (with caravan park operators)? That’s a slippery slope,” Councillor Julian McLaren said.
“Practically-wise, how will the arrival and departure of vans be done? Self regulated?” Councillor Andrew Negline added.
Council’s director of environment and community services Janice Summerhayes said there is no roster for rangers to patrol the area.
“It will be on a complaints basis,” she said.
There is no clear timeline on when council will begin enforcing the new conditions.