Wilks Park flood victims left in limbo with possessions lost and no one to blame

The park, a refuge for many of Wagga's homeless, was inundated after the river swelled following last week's rains and recent water releases from Burrinjuck Dam.

But a disagreement has broken out over exactly who was responsible for assisting the homeless with moving their belongings to higher ground.

Park residents maintain they received mixed messages, with some saying they were told it was the responsibility of the State Emergency Services to assist, and others told it was council's job.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Wagga mayor Dallas Tout deflected criticism over the matter.

Cr Tout said it was initially up to the SES to move belongings from Wilks Park.

"They're the primary agency so it's their responsibility," he said

"But now that a number of those people have been relocated to the showground, that comes under the remit of Department of Communities and Justice for the evacuation centre," he said.

"Resilience NSW and DCJ are working together and that now sits with them.

"Council is just helping in whatever way we can to assist whatever lead agency we're working with."

Cr Tout said the council is working hard to help out with the flood relief.

"We're keeping an eye on [the situation at Wilks Park] and right now it's low risk, in that the water sitting in there is restricted and can't get anywhere," he said.

"But we're watching out there and there's conversations happening."

Hitting back at the claims, SES Southern Zone operation commander Ben Pickup said his members had gone "above and beyond" their call of duty.

He said when the SES issued an evacuation order for Wilks Park last Sunday, they ensured everyone there knew about it.

"At the time, SES crews and other multi-agency teams attended the park to advise residents of the order," Mr Pickup said.

"A high clearance vehicle was also sent to the park with SES members offering assistance to residents beyond the responsibility to ensure we removed any belongings from residents who requested or required assistance."

Mr Pickup said while the assistance was appreciated by most, it was "firmly declined" by some. "Before the teams left, they ensured they spoke to everyone in the area to advise of the evacuation order," he said.

"In doing so, the SES kept to their mission to preserve life and ensure the residents were helped to evacuate where required, and they also helped remove any critical essential items to safety."

Mr Pickup said while SES members normally aim to rescue people and their essential possessions, they went beyond that at Wilks Park.

"The members who were down there went above and beyond what was expected of them in their efforts to ensure residents were safe and able to get their required belongings outside the flood area," he said.

Looking ahead, Wagga City Council acting general manager Scott Gray said the council is in discussions with the relevant agencies about what will happen when the floodwaters recede at Wilks Park.

But he refused to clarify whether those evacuated to the showground would receive assistance if they chose to return.

However, he reassured them the council has no plans to stop them re-entering the park when it is safe to do so.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: