The state of the man's squalid accommodation has now prompted the new mayor of Wagga, Kerry Pascoe, to begin discussions around creating policy to crack down on the practice.

"We need a policy to alleviate the problems we have out there," he said.

"It's unsightly, and it is a bit of a problem."

However, a solution may be some time away as the area is Crown land and, as such, means neither police nor council have the power to forcibly remove someone unless they are committing a crime.

Councillor Pascoe admitted there was a tension over allowing free camping at the same time as council was enforcing rules which prohibit residents from living in sheds on residential property.

“Living in sheds and temporary homes is often seen as a cost effective option to escape the rent trap,” an advertisement released by council says.

“(But) it is illegal to occupy a shed or garage for residential purposes without development consent.”

The issue of free camping at Wilks Park has drawn fierce criticism from caravan park owners in Wagga, with Horseshoe Motor Village owner Jim Williams forming an unofficial “team” to monitor the situation.

“We have a daily count of the total amount of single units at the park,” he said. “It’s done on my behalf.”

Mr Williams labelled Wilks Park “tight-ass flats” and said it was “crucifying” businesses in the city which rely on caravanning tourists.

Tasmanian-based holiday maker Greg Stevenson has been living in his RV at Wilks Park for the past two weeks and was one of the people who complained to council about the itinerant man. He said when the man left it was the very people who use the area who cleaned up the mess.

“It does create a bad reputation for the other campers,” Mr Stevenson said.