On Saturday afternoon police were called to a riverbank near Cadell Place, only minutes from the bustling main street and a homeless shelter, for a welfare check.

They found a 37-year-old woman, along with two infants, at the scene, with one already deceased.

The woman and the surviving child were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. The infant was on Saturday reported to be in a critical condition.

While police believe there were no suspicious circumstances, the city’s homeless situation has long been a simmering point of discussion.

Wagga Wagga City Council has taken a deliberate “respond with compassion” approach, allowing homeless people to camp out in secluded spots as well as in Wilks Park, north of the city.

One councillor, Richard Foley, has been fighting for a more formal approach.

He put forward a motion last year for council to investigate more accommodation for homeless people.

In response mayor Dallas Tout raised council’s limited resources but said council was advocating for ways to address the issue.

“This is Australia and its 2026, how can we as a society turn our backs on these people,” the woman, who declined to be named, said.

“This is appalling and tragic and should make everyone sit up and ask questions.”

A homeless camp on the river in Wagga Wagga.

Argyle Housing chief executive Carolyn Doherty called the incident an “unimaginable loss”.

“Wagga Wagga is a close-knit and resilient regional community, and in times like this, people will come together with care and compassion to support one another,” Ms Doherty said.

“But this tragedy also brings into sharp focus a reality we cannot ignore, that homelessness exists in our regional towns, often hidden from view, and sometimes with devastating consequences.”

The CEO of the social and affordable housing provider called for “reflection at a broader level”.

“Regional NSW is under increasing pressure when it comes to housing, yet much of the recent government investment has been concentrated in metropolitan areas.

“Communities like Wagga Wagga need greater, sustained investment to ensure there is enough safe, secure and affordable housing, alongside the support services that help people stay housed and connected.”

Wagga Wagga City Council general manager Peter Thompson said council did not have power to force people to relocate.

He said council had requested meetings with State Government agencies to identify solutions.

“One of the key issues to be addressed is the lack of appropriate accommodation which could be used by the people living in tents adjacent to the river,” he said,

“The key issue in relation to evicting people from their current location is identifying where they are able to go.

“This is why the provision of alternate accommodation by NSW Government is critical to any solution.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said late Monday she had asked Homes NSW for a “full investigation” into the family’s circumstances.

“Homes NSW have been engaged with this family over many years,” Ms Jackson said in a written statement.

Ms Jackson said she would be meeting with Wagga Wagga mayor Dallas Tout.

“Our government is taking a housing-first approach to addressing homelessness, because fundamentally you can’t end homelessness without homes,” she said,

“This approach is backed by a record-breaking $6.6 billion investment to build thousands of new homes through the Building Homes for NSW program.

“This historic investment is in direct contrast to the former Liberal Government who oversaw the selloff of more than 7,600 homes and assets – worth almost $3.6 billion.

“Some years they sold off more than 700 homes.”

Ms Jackson said that prior to 2025, there was no whole-of-government approach to end homelessness.

“I acknowledge that we cannot solve the housing crisis overnight, but devastating incidents like this make me even more determined to keep building the homes our state desperately needs,” she said.

Police have laid no charges and say the tragedy is not being treated as suspicious at this time.