The City Council of Wagga Wagga in Australia will begin cleaning up Wilks Park’s primitive camping area this week in preparation for its re-opening.
After the flooding events in October and November, The park was shut down to allow adequate drying out, according to a press release.
The clean-up includes making certain areas level within the park, clearing out garbage, and altering the temporary levee near the park entrance to allow caravans to enter the park and maintain the levee’s height.
This week will see the reinstatement of the boundary line separating the park from adjoining Crown Land, replacing the damaged fence line using concrete landscape blocks.
The date of opening for the campground has still to be decided.
In light of the potential possibility of flooding, the road rules applicable to the camping grounds will remain in effect as the park reopens, with rangers charged with checking the area daily.
Enforcement will consist of notices issued to users who must comply first. If a notice is not followed up, sanctions can be imposed, and, if required, the request can be made to NSW Police for assistance to remove those who violate stay requirements.
Wilks Park is a primitive camping zone with limitations, including a 72-hour restriction on the length of stay and that all accommodations must be fully self-contained. The complete list of rules and regulations is posted on a signboard at the entry point into the park.
The definition of a self-contained vehicle is “a vehicle that meets the requirements for the holding capacity for fresh, grey and black water, as well as storage capacity for garbage waste. The park operations document also specifies that “The conditions of use specified upon entry to the Wilks Park will be enforced by Council’s Ranger Services on an as needs and complaints basis”. A penalty notice may be issued for the offence of failing to comply with the terms of this notice erected by Wagga Wagga City Council under Section 632 of the Local Government Act 1993.”
Council has been working closely with the government of NSW’s Department of Community and Justice (DCJ). This primary agency assists homeless people and other agencies that help residents of the community stay in the park and are affected by the floods.
Council is certain that residents are entirely supported in finding alternative accommodation. However, we will closely work with DCJ to ensure that appropriate agencies make other housing options available to those in need.
Recently, complaints have been filed by Council in the capacity of land managers responsible for cleaning the site. Contact has been made through DCJ and DCJ, who confirmed via map and email that the site could be removed and cleaned by Council.