Community leaders in Wagga Wagga are urgently calling for solutions to the homelessness crisis following the tragic death of a baby during childbirth at a makeshift camp for the homeless. The incident has prompted preparations for a coroner’s report, while the infant’s twin was taken to the hospital for medical care.
Independent Member of Parliament Joe McGirr emphasized the need for increased support for individuals facing challenging circumstances. He remarked on the community’s profound shock and grief over the incident, stating, “It is very confronting. I share the community’s real outpouring of concern and grief over this.” McGirr acknowledged the disturbing reality that such tragedies could occur.
Advocates for the homeless argue that this incident underscores the complexities of the ongoing homelessness crisis. They are calling for more comprehensive support addressing mental health issues, domestic violence, and housing needs. Mayor Dallas Tout of Wagga Wagga has indicated that these challenges are largely influenced by state government policies and has sought a meeting with relevant ministers, including New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, to address the crisis. “We need to present this as a crisis and seek viable solutions,” he stated.
Mayor Tout noted that discussions with other councils across the state reveal that this issue is widespread and has reached alarming levels. “It’s been horrendous, which is why we’ve been actively engaging in local meetings with state government agencies,” he said. “It’s time for escalating our efforts.”
According to Homelessness NSW, over the past two years, 68,000 individuals have turned to homelessness services for assistance, with rough sleeping increasing by 32 percent. The Wagga Wagga City Council reported that more than 250 people were sleeping rough in the city as of January 2025. Additionally, as of March, there were 674 households awaiting social housing in Wagga Wagga, with expected wait times ranging from five to ten years.
Dr. McGirr acknowledged the need for more housing but stressed that it is not the sole solution. “We’ve seen the first social housing developments in Wagga in 15 years recently, which shows progress, but we must do more,” he remarked. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that services effectively reach those in need, indicating that barriers exist even when services are offered. “Some individuals have expressed reluctance to accept help, and I have witnessed this firsthand during my visits,” he added.
Dom Rowe, CEO of Homelessness NSW, noted that it is common for individuals to refuse assistance, often due to prior systemic failures related to mental health. “Those experiencing homelessness along the Murrumbidgee River are often in desperate situations and may decline services after enduring significant hardships,” he explained.
The coroner will investigate the baby’s death, and Rowe has advocated for mandatory reporting of all fatalities among the homeless population. “This would allow us to understand the circumstances surrounding the deaths of individuals experiencing homelessness,” she stated.
Dr. McGirr emphasized that while there is no simple fix, collaborative efforts could improve the situation. “We can enhance the coordination among our agencies and make greater efforts to reach those in especially challenging situations while continuing to push for more housing solutions,” he said.
The Minister for Homelessness, Rose Jackson, was contacted for her input and, in a statement issued on Monday, revealed that she has reached out to McGirr and Tout to arrange a meeting. “Our government is committed to a housing-first strategy to tackle homelessness, as fundamentally, you cannot resolve homelessness without providing homes,” the statement read. This approach is supported by a historic investment of $6.6 billion aimed at constructing thousands of new homes through the Building Homes for NSW initiative.
