Thank you to everyone who has been advocating in their networks, supporting people on the ground and keeping the conversation going.

As many of you know Council has again issued move on notices requiring people to vacate Wilks Park by 28 July 2026. There are several opportunities over the coming week where you can get involved and make a real difference. Choose the actions that suit you!

In this issue:

• Nonviolent Direct Action Training - Wed 22 July

• Wagga City Council meeting - 6pm Mon 27 July

• Letter writing campaign

• Wilks Park Community BBQs - 10:30 Tues 21 July

• Homeshare in Wagga?

See below for more details on all of the above.

We remain hopeful that the government, public servants, and not-for-profit agencies will put dignity and humanity into how they manage housing and homelessness.

Wednesday 22 July 2026, 6.00pm
Free online event - Register here

The Uniting Advocacy team will deliver Non-Violent Direct Action Training, providing practical skills in effective, safe and respectful community advocacy.

This online workshop is about practical, strategic, and peaceful advocacy. It uses historical, evidence-based methods to shift public opinion and systemic policy. The Uniting Advocacy team will guide participants through:

• The Principles of Strategic Non-Violence: How and why peaceful resistance works.

• De-escalation Techniques: Practical steps to keep calm and defuse high-stress situations.

• Know Your Rights Briefing: Standard legal boundaries and interacting safely with authorities. 

If you are passionate about creating change and would like to build your confidence as an advocate, please sign up below. The more people equipped with these skills, the stronger our collective voice becomes.

Non-Violent Direct Action Training
Wednesday 22 July 2026, 6.00pm
Free online event - Register here

As many of you know, Wagga Wagga City Council's Move On Notice and the threats of $1100 fines continue to impact people experiencing homelessness in our community. See the latest notice here.

Councillor Richard Foley has tabled a notice of motion seeking a moratorium on evictions. This will be debated at the Council meeting on Monday 27th of July. The debate will include an opportunity for respectful public contributions to the meeting.

Please come along to show your support:

Wagga Wagga City Council Meeting
6pm, Monday 27 July
Council Chambers, 243 Baylis St, Wagga Wagga

Writing to decision makers is a simple and effective way of raising concerns about homelessness and housing.   

Decision makers for homelessness in Wagga Wagga are:

Peter Thompson, General Manager, Wagga City Council, Thompson.Peter@wagga.nsw.gov.au

Dallas Tout, Mayor Wagga Wagga City Council, Tout.Dallas@wagga.nsw.gov.au

Dr Joe McGirr, State MP for Wagga Wagga waggawagga@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Rose Jackson, NSW Housing Minister, office@jackson.minister.nsw.gov.au

Some of the actions you could request include:

• Request Council to stop evicting people from Wilks Park, Oura Beach and surrounding areas, (or to extend the eviction deadline);

• Request that Council not evict any person unless suitable, long term and sustainable accommodation is available to them (temporary accommodation of 7 days in a motel is not suitable or sustainable).

• Request decision makers to consider the welfare of people being evicted, to use compassion over compliance, and make decisions using a Person-Centred-Approach;

• Request the Council and State Government work together to urgently provide more emergency accommodation and more permanent public housing in Wagga Wagga.

The Council to Homeless Persons gives the following advice about writing to decision makers:

• Keep your letter short and concise, using three to five key points.  Include facts and figures where possible.

• Be polite and adapt your tone to the recipient.

• Request specific actions by the decision maker. 

• Request a reply and include your contact details.  If you haven’t received a reply within a month, you can follow up with a phone call.

Community BBQs are being held at Wilks Park to provide practical support to residents and an opportunity for the community to express their solidarity with residents and opposition to the forced removals. Everyone welcome.

Our next Community BBQs will be held from 10:30am Tuesday 21 and Tuesday 28 of July. We are seeking contributions of the following items:

• Sausages,

• Bread,

• Onions,

• Drinks,

• Fruit,

• Snacks,

• BBQ supplies

Every donation helps us provide not just a meal, but connection, kindness and a welcoming space for people doing it tough.

Please reply if you're able to contribute so we can coordinate what's needed and where to deliver it.

We’ve been looking at the Hunter Homeshare model, which connects people with spare rooms to those seeking affordable accommodation, creating mutual benefit through companionship and support.

You can read more about the homeshare model here.

Given the housing pressures we're seeing across our region, we believe this is a model worth exploring and want to establish a small working group to investigate whether a Homeshare program could be developed for Wagga and the Riverina.

If you have experience or interest in housing, ageing, community development, social enterprise or simply want to be part of exploring innovative housing solutions, we would love to hear from you.

Please reply if you'd like to join the working group.

Our strength has always been our willingness to work collaboratively and look beyond traditional solutions. Every conversation, every volunteer and every new idea brings us one step closer to ensuring everyone in our community has a safe place to call home.

Thank you all for your continued generosity, advocacy and commitment.