Burrell Creek Hall is now better equipped to support the local community during emergencies, with new solar and battery storage installed through Essential Energy’s Essential Grants program.

The Burrell Creek Youth and Community Association Inc received funding to install a solar and battery system at Burrell Creek Hall, helping reduce power costs, improve sustainability and strengthen the hall’s role as a local hub during outages and emergencies.

The volunteer-run hall is the only shared community facility in the rural locality and plays an important role in bringing residents together for social gatherings, workshops, training, local history projects and emergency preparedness activities.

The solar and battery system will help keep essential services operating during power outages, including lighting, refrigeration, communications, internet access and device charging.

Burrell Creek Youth and Community Association President Bruce Davidson said the project reflected the community's long-term vision of building resilience together.

“Resilience isn’t something that happens to a community - it’s something a community builds together,” Mr Davidson said.

“This project strengthens our ability to support one another during emergencies while reducing our environmental footprint.

“Every workshop, shared meal, training session and conversation held at the hall builds relationships, trust and confidence. Those connections become invaluable when communities face difficult times.

“Without help from Essential Energy, we would not be able to move forward as we are.”

Essential Energy’s Head of Sustainability, Sophie Mackinnon, said the project was a strong example of how local facilities can support communities well beyond their day-to-day use.

“Burrell Creek Hall is a vital community asset, and this investment will help strengthen its role as a meeting place, a learning hub and a local point of connection during emergencies,” Ms Mackinnon said.

“These grants are about backing local groups that know what their communities need and are already delivering practical solutions - whether that’s reducing energy costs, improving resilience or supporting people through challenging times.

“What stands out in this year’s recipients is the diversity of projects and the shared commitment to making a lasting difference in local communities. From sustainability and climate adaptation initiatives to services supporting vulnerable people, these organisations are helping build resilience in their communities across regional NSW."

The Burrell Creek project is one of 13 community initiatives across regional NSW to receive funding through Essential Energy’s annual Essential Grants program.

The program provides grants of up to $15,000 for local not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that create positive social and environmental outcomes across regional, rural and remote NSW.

Mr Davidson said the association was grateful for Essential Energy’s support and recognition of the value of community-led projects.

“Together, we are proving that when communities are empowered, local halls become much more than meeting places - they become hubs for resilience, sustainability and a stronger future,” he said.