Shortly after 1pm on Saturday, April 23, emergency services were called to a shopping centre on Upper Street, Bega, following reports a woman had been stabbed.

Police will allege a 42-year-old woman, who was in a wheelchair, and a 27-year-old woman got into an elevator where an argument began.

The 27-year-old woman allegedly returned to her vehicle to obtain a weapon and returned to a shop inside the centre.

Police have been told the younger woman confronted the 42-year-old woman and they began to argue again. It will be alleged the 27-year-old woman then produced the weapon and stabbed the older woman in the neck.

The 27-year-old woman then fled the scene.

NSW Ambulance Paramedics treated the 42-year-old woman at the scene before being taken to South East Regional Hospital with critical injuries.

She was then airlifted to Canberra Hospital for further treatment. She is understood to be in a serious condition.

Officers attached to Far South Coast Local Area Command established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.

Just before 2pm on Saturday, April 23, the 27-year-old woman attended Bega Police Station and handed in the weapon which will undergo forensic examination.

She was subsequently charged with cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder. 

She was refused bail to appear at Batemans Bay Local Court on Sunday, April 24.

Detective Sergeant Justin Marks, of Bega Police has asked anyone who witnessed the stabbing to contact Bega Police on 6492 9999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Detective Marks said that the two women were known to each other but not related.