During the devastating bushfires in 2019/20, Blackheath Community Hall was used as a crucial evacuation point. It was a safe haven in a time of need.
The Hall is a treasured and historic building in the town. However, elements of the hall could prove to be dangerous in these times of emergency. The hall gas heating utilised bottled gas. This, as you can imagine, could prove catastrophic in the event of bushfire.
A NSW Bushfire Appeal grant of $74,810 has helped install 98 solar panels and a reverse cycle system on the hall.
Blackheath Community Hall is now future proofed for times of emergency and times of celebration.
Robert Stock, chairman of Bendigo Bank's Katoomba branch, said the bank's usual policy was to give smaller grants to multiple community groups but the foundation's post-bushfire fund allowed them to award the significant grant. "I'm terribly pleased that we were able to support this," he said.
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