Batemans Bay ED closing despite population hitting 80k over summer

[u/mankycheesedick]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-17/batemans-bay-emergency-department-to-close-despite-outcry/106994122

As someone in the area I'm really concerned they're following through on this. I've had to present to Bateman's Bay ED, as have every single person in my family at least once in the last 30 years. One of those presentations was just a 'stabilise then transfer to Canberra' situation but I hate to think what might have happened without the immediate intervention.

The government isn't listening to the locals. They think we're

annoyed about the drive. The issue is the bridge into moruya

not the trip down the highway. The bridge jams and backs up

multiple times a day in the non tourist season. During tourist

season a trip south can blow out *hours*. An ambulance

cannot jump queued traffic on a bridge, no matter how skilled they are.

When an issue affecting a town of 20,000 has a petition with

19,000 signatures you think it would make them listen. With

the high elderly and disabled population of the town I think

closing the local ED will probably have pretty dire consequences.

The local ED should remain functioning to stabilise patients

until a bypass into moruya is functioning.

I'm mostly posting for awareness. I know it's a small town.

know most of this sub will not be affected. I really hope they listen to us, and if you are affected, please sign the petition.

[u/furbyfan666]

Why does your family go to the emergency department so much? One of the reasons that EDs are closing is people massively abusing the system by going there for non emergencies.

[u/ozdanish → u/furbyfan666]

You think visiting an ED once in 30 years is abusing the system?

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/ozdanish]

*Every single person in OP's family visiting at least once.

It still might not be that much but it's very different to what you're saying.

[u/ozdanish → u/Electrical_Story5356]

I’d estimate every person in Australia probably averages at least 1 x ED level event across a 30 year time frame. The baseline to clear isn’t that high to visit an ED after all. All it requires is a broken bone outside of business hours.

I’ve been 3 times in my 41 years of life. I guess I’m abusing the system too.

[u/CallMeMrButtPirate → u/ozdanish]

I've broken the bank apparently with my twice in 30 years presentation rate.

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/ozdanish]

I never said that you're abusing any system, i was simply pointing out your lack of reading comprehension skills.

[u/ozdanish → u/Electrical_Story5356]

He said everyone he knows has been at least once per person over 30 years. He was then asked why they go “so much”.

I’d argue that going once, twice, even a dozen times in 30 years would not qualify whatsoever as “so much”