Bega by-election: Candidates share their views on the big issues

From housing affordability to bushfire recovery, find out what the candidates for the Bega by-election have to say about the south coast’s biggest issues before election day.

The campaign for the Bega by-election is heating up, with only a day left before voters go to the polls.

After a difficult two years for the region, from bushfires to the Covid pandemic, the current candidates have shared their positions on some of the biggest issues voters will be taking to the polls on February 12.

Find out what they had to say.

Housing affordability:

An influx in immigration to the south coast throughout the Covid pandemic has exacerbated longstanding housing shortages.

In December, Bega had a rental availability of just 0.1 per cent, well below the accepted healthy average of at least 4 per cent.

Green Party candidate Peter Haggar said the housing situation in the region was at a crisis point.

He joined calls by the Bega Valley Shire council for short term leasers and Airbnb operators to release unoccupied properties into the market.

“Many of these (homes) could be used for short and long term leases,” Mr Haggar said.

“Victoria has introduced a vacant residential land tax which applies to houses vacant for more than six months.

“Such a tax would help address our lack of housing supply, with revenue spent on increasing affordable housing availability.

“We also need more help for vulnerable people who are homeless or have little or no security in housing.”

Labor candidate for Bega Michael Holland warned that without adequate housing, promised upgrades to the health services in the region might be at risk.

"It shouldn't have taken a by-election for some response from our NSW Government," said Labor candidate for Bega, Michael Holland with Labor leader Anthony Albanese, left, after the announcement that the new Moruya hospital would open at Level 4. Outside Moruya RFS Hall, January 27, 2022 Photo: Nathan Schmidt

“We’re having problems already,” he said.

“We haven’t had the same numbers of Covid patients that they have in metropolitan regions, but we don‘t have the same numbers of staff.

“We don‘t have the clinical services to support those patients.

“And, the average age of doctors, nurses, and midwives is going up.”

Mr Holland warned the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital could face a repeat in problems that plagued the Southeast Regional Hospital when it was opened in 2016 because of staffing issues.

“One year later, they had to have a report into the dysfunction in that hospital because of inadequate attention to planning, under resourcing, not looking at service planning, not looking at workforce recruitment, and not looking at administrative staff support,” he said.

Health services:

Construction on a new $260 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will break ground later this year after a long campaign by local activists.

The Moruya-based hospital was announced late last year by former Bega MP Andrew Constance, and will include updated specialist services.

Mr Constance said the project will support hundreds of jobs in the region during construction, with many locals being able to develop industry skills which will provide a boost to the local economy.

“Once it is built there’ll be additional jobs working at the hospital,” Mr Constance said.

But, the project has come under fire from Labor candidate for Bega Michael Holland.

Mr Holland has worked as an obstetrician and gynaecologist in the region for more than 40 years and said that only under his leadership would the project deliver on its promise of a coveted Level 4 service.

“I chose to run at this by-election because of healthcare in our region,” Mr Holland said.

Artists renders of the new Moruya Hospital. Picture: Eurobodalla Regional Council

“The NSW Liberal Government just hasn’t listened to our community.

“Your vote will send a strong message to new Premier Dominic Perrottet that this area cannot be taken for granted.”

Mr Holland slammed the government for its inaction when, only a week before residents were slated to go to the polls, it was revealed the land for the new hospital had not yet been purchased.

“Can we trust the NSW Liberal Government to build this hospital with level 4 services when they haven’t been upfront with the community from the start,” Mr Holland said in a Facebook post dated February 4.

In January, Minister for Health Brad Hazzard announced a new HealthOne facility would also be built in Batemans Bay.

The $20 million project is due to be completed before the new Moruya hospital is finished in 2025.

Liberal candidate Fiona Kotvojs said she was committed to projects established by her predecessor, Mr Constance, including the new hospital.

“With millions of dollars committed by the government toward better local healthcare, including HealthOne for Bateman’s Bay and the new Level 4 Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, I want to make sure that our community continues to have someone who can help deliver these important services as part of the NSW Government,” she said.

Bushfire recovery:

Promised investment in emergency service facilities across the region more than two years after the Black Summer fires has refocused attention on the many issues still present after the devastating disaster.

On January 25, Liberal candidate for Bega Fiona Kotvojs announced a new $15 million co-located Emergency Operations Centre and Fire Control Centres hub for Moruya.

Ms Kotvojs said that the new and purpose-built facility, which had been identified by the Rural Fire Service as a priority, will help the local crews deal with emergencies across Eurobodalla.

Bushfires on the far south coast of NSW. Allana Jones (L) and friend Hayley Lewis look through the remains of a shed that was burnt out on Allana's New Buildings Rd property near Wyndham after the Big Jack Mountain fire tore through the area. Picture: Toby Zerna

“After over a decade as an RFS volunteer, I know that good planning and communication is critical in dealing with an emergency,” Dr Kotvojs said.

“With the range of agencies involved, you need the right infrastructure and set-up to support this.

“Having this infrastructure will enable the different agencies to work together with a well-co-ordinated approach to protect our community’s safety and wellbeing in an emergency.”

Days after the announcement, Labor leader Anthony Albanese announced that his government would pledge $25 million for a similar emergency operations precinct in Moruya.

Under the vision, a single, purpose-built facility would replace the patchwork of regional RFS halls co-ordinating disaster response efforts throughout the south coast.

Labor candidate for Bega Michael Holland said he had witnessed first hand the difficulty in co-ordinating emergency response efforts during a crisis.

“I have lived experience, witnessing the difficulty co-ordinating emergency response by defending clinically and physically the Moruya District Hospital, which was threatened by fire,” Mr Holland said.

"We need to do it once, and do it right," Labor leader Anthony Albanese said after announcing $25 for a new Emergency Operations Precinct in Moruya. Outside Moruya RFS Hall with NSW Labor leader Chris Minns, left, and Labor candidate for Bega, Michael Holland, right, January 27, 2022. Photo: Nathan Schmidt

“This precinct will be a critical resource to help our emergency services and community deal with future natural disasters.”

Meanwhile, Labor member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips spared with the Liberal party’s candidate for the seat, former Bega MP Andrew Constance, over black spots in telecommunications in the region.

“The 2019-20 bushfires made it crystal clear that quality mobile coverage is critical for our community during disasters,” Ms Phillips said.

“Last year, I was pleased to add my support for Telstra’s submission to the federal government to fix mobile black spots along the Princes Highway between Batemans Bay and Ulladulla, specifically at Termeil and Benandarah, but there’s much more to do.

“I will be continuing to work to address mobile phone coverage across the electorate, particularly along our Princes Highway, so it’s safer for people.”