EMERGENCY services says neglected homes and abandoned buildings have stretched its resources to breaking point.
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Fire and Rescue's Turvey Park station commander Jeff Edwards said any derelict property is causing problems for the city because it is an easy target for mindless vandalism to happen.
It was only four days ago when firefighters responded to a blaze at the old guards building on Railway Street, which tied up three engines, paramedics, police and Essential Energy workers for the third time in recent months.
"The biggest thing we find with derelict homes and buildings is that we have to treat that as if someone is still inside that building ... it becomes quite dangerous when we have to send firefighters in," Mr Edwards said.
The fire station at Turvey Park has been deemed one of the top five busiest stations in the state.
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Although many of those fires were accidental, Mr Edwards said the opportunistic fires where rubbish had been set alight on the streets or in abandoned homes were wasting the station's resources.
"I know people who live in those areas certainly don't want that in the neighbourhood ... but unfortunately derelict homes and buildings can bring those areas down," he said.
"If you have a premises in your area that has accumulated rubbish, become unsightly and is a concern for neighbours, contact the council to let them know of the issue and go from there."
Wagga's crime prevention working group member Saba Nabi said the problem of derelict houses attracting unwanted attention has been on the radar of the committee, who were discussing solutions.
Ms Nabi said that identifying areas where the city could be more successful in youth engagement has been a focal point in previous discussions.
"For me the education of the parent is the most important because the parent is always the one looking after the children," she said.
"So we have the education of the youth in place, but I also feel there is a gap in educating the parents in youth engagement."
A Wagga City Council spokesperson said that there are currently five privately owned properties in the city that are listed as not habitable and have been secured.
The spokesperson said that a demolition order has been issued for one of those premises in the past 12 months.
"Council works closely with the state government to issue demolition orders and expedite this process if required," they said.
"The council can intervene at a property if a structure poses a risk to community health and safety."