Wagga Wagga fast-tracks Tolland social housing to tackle homelessness

The NSW government, represented by independent MP Dr Joe McGirr, announced that Homes NSW will begin subdivision works on Stage 1A of the Tolland Estate Renewal Project in Wagga Wagga this month. The accelerated schedule will deliver 24 residential lots, including social housing, before the end of the year, several years earlier than the original 2029 target.

The move comes amid growing pressure on authorities as the city grapples with a worsening homelessness crisis, with the council issuing move‑on notices to rough sleepers and dismantling a campsite near Wagga Beach. Housing advocates warned that relocating people without sufficient replacement homes could exacerbate the shortage. Critics, including the Wagga Ratepayers Association, also objected to the demolition of existing public housing at Tolland before new units are ready.

When completed, the Tolland Estate Renewal Project is expected to provide almost 500 homes, combining social and affordable rentals with a pocket park, new roads and infrastructure. While officials acknowledge the project alone will not solve the housing shortage, they present it as a significant step toward easing the crisis in the region.