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Tenille Evans feels lucky to have bottled gas as the main source for her cafe in Lithgow, on the edge of the Blue Mountains.
Key points:
- Lithgow and other communities in the Central Tablelands have been without gas since November 3
- Residents and businesses are working together to help out their neighbours
- Lithgow City Council has provided temporary hot showers at the showground
When the gas supply to the community was cut off a week ago, she couldn't sit back and do nothing.
"I thought something we could do was to cook for people," Ms Evans said.
"It's just one less thing for them to worry about on that day."
On November 3 the gas supply to residences and businesses was cut due to a flood-damaged pipeline on the Macquarie River near Bathurst.
Large parts of the Central Tablelands lost their gas supply, including Bathurst, Lithgow, Oberon and Wallerawang.
APA Group, the company responsible for the pipeline, and network operator Jemena have been working to restore the pipeline since the leak was first detected.
Bathurst is gradually being reconnected, but for communities downstream of the leak, including Lithgow, the gas could be out for several more weeks.
Food for families
Ms Evans says although the community of Lithgow is resilient, she hopes providing some free meals has taken some stress off of families.
"[When the gas went out] we thought 'Let's make some big pots of food and tell people to rock up with containers,'" she said.
"It's one less meal that they have to think through and worry about cooking.
"We had a really great turnout. We probably fed about 25 families with three or four hours' notice and we're going to do it again this week."
Ms Evans says the community comes together in challenging times and Lithgow will move forward in solidarity and look out for one another.
Showering with buckets
Retiree Jill Fitzgerald says although the outage is a challenge after just getting through COVID and floods, she is pushing through.
"We've taken too much for granted," she said.
Ms Fitzgerald said the situation was reminiscent of her childhood, which was at a time before people had gas or electric hot water systems.
"When I was young we had a copper [boiler] — we had to carry the water into the bathtub.
"Now I'm standing in a big dish with buckets of water to keep myself showered.
"But I can cope with it, it's just one of those things, you can't do anything about it."
Ms Fitzgerald feels sorry for the community's small businesses and feels they have been let down.
"The businesses have failed because they're all shut, they've got no gas," she said.
"I can't even get my haircut, but I feel more sorry for the businesses than myself."
A pub without gas
Daniel Amador was only head chef in one of the town's pubs for a week when his kitchen was no longer able to rely on gas cooktops.
Staff worked together to find solutions to cook without gas, taking a barbecue onto the street.
"We just started [cooking] different types of food in the barbecue plus buying equipment that doesn't use gas, such as the fryers," he said.
The pub's licensee Matt Andrews has adapted the business to ensure it can remain open.
He's had to find solutions for those who booked accommodation but had no hot water.
"I've had to cut back the costs, so I've completely taken off all the casual staff," Mr Andrews said.
A town with community spirit
Since the gas went out, Lithgow Mayor Maree Statham says the community has come together.
Residents are being encouraged to check in with their neighbours and to drop off blankets to those without heating.
Lithgow City Council has also installed temporary showers at the showground for the community to use.
"Our community is amazing, it's resilient," Cr Statham said.
"They are working together. Whenever I go out people are asking, 'How are the vulnerable people going?' and 'Are they getting food?'"
"But, the community is pulling together like we always do."