Tragedy at Wagga Homeless Encampment: Infant Found Dead, Another Critical

Emergency services responded to a welfare call Saturday afternoon at a homeless encampment along the Murrumbidgee River near Wagga Beach, in Cadell Place, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.

Police located a 37-year-old woman and two infants at the scene. One of the infants had already died. The woman and the surviving infant were taken to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, where the infant remained in critical condition as of Monday afternoon.

Police have stated there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Incident Timeline and Police Response

• Emergency services were dispatched to Cadell Place on Saturday afternoon.
• At the scene, police found the woman and two infants, one of whom was deceased.
• The woman and the surviving infant were treated at the scene and transported to hospital.
• Police confirmed no suspicious circumstances. A coroner's report is being prepared.
• The Murrumbidgee Local Health District declined to comment while the police investigation is ongoing.

The Homeless Camp

The incident occurred at an established homeless encampment along the Murrumbidgee River. The camp reportedly contains about a dozen long-term tents, with visible rubbish, prams, toys, and bikes.

Local councillor Richard Foley stated that the river encampment has expanded annually.

Government and Official Statements

NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson

Jackson confirmed the family had been in contact with Homes NSW for several years. She stated she has requested a full investigation into the family's circumstances by the department. Jackson will meet with local MP Dr Joe McGirr and Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout to discuss the incident. She referenced the state's housing-first policy.

Wagga Wagga City Councillor Richard Foley

Foley called for a review of services that had contact with the family and for coordination among council, state, and federal authorities. He advocated for more transitional housing and support services.

A 2024 local council report indicated 257 homeless individuals in the area — an 8-year increase of 71%. The rental vacancy rate in the Riverina region was 0.6% in January 2025, described as a record low.

Local MP Dr Joe McGirr

McGirr noted that camp conditions are unsanitary and unsafe, with some residents living there for over a year.

Wagga Women's Health Centre President Vickie Burkinshaw

Burkinshaw stated the centre has a waitlist of 76 women.

Wagga Wagga City Council General Manager Peter Thompson

Thompson expressed concern and stated he has requested meetings with state agencies regarding the lack of appropriate accommodation.

Housing Data and Government Initiatives

• As of March 2024, 674 people were on the social housing waitlist in Wagga Wagga.
• Official data from the 2021 Census counted 425 homeless people in the city.
• The NSW government identifies Wagga Wagga as a priority area for social housing renewal.
• The state government has allocated $6.6 billion to the Building Homes for NSW program, aiming to construct 8,400 new public homes.
• Homes NSW has provided 123 new social homes in Wagga since April 2023, with 52 more in development and 16 scheduled for completion this year.
• Homes NSW is working with the Aboriginal Housing Office and local council to redevelop the Tolland estate, aiming to deliver 490 new homes in the next decade.
• Most existing public housing stock was built in the 1960s and 1970s and is increasingly costly to maintain.

Upcoming Events

A community meeting about the housing crisis is scheduled for Tuesday night.