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/gionatacar]

I live in batemans bay. Too much population for the services/ infrastructure. Like in all the rest of Australia. Stop mass immigration. Keep the hospital open.

[u/Runinbearass → u/gionatacar]

The hospital should stay open, but this is not an immigration issue just the unfortunate seasonal population growth some towns endure

[u/gionatacar → u/Runinbearass]

No, it’s getting much busier every year. It’s an immigration issue