AS the year winds down in Bathurst, you don't have to look far to see signs of confidence in the city's future.
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In the west, the $10 million expansion of the Westpoint satellite shopping centre is into its final stages after more than a year of construction.
A childcare centre is due to open at the site in the new year, a Domino's franchise has been up and running for six months and the existing IGA supermarket is due to almost double in size by the time the work on the centre – which comes in response to the area’s population growth – is complete.
In the east, the first retailers in Kelso’s Gateway development, including a new KFC outlet, a Shell service station and another new childcare centre, are due to open in the second half of next year.
On the city centre fringe, the new ambulance station near the PCYC is taking shape and the enormous new $35m Opal Aged Care home in Stanley Street by the Macquarie River is due to open by April, according to the company.
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In the CBD, meanwhile, the corner of George and Howick streets has been given new life thanks to the redevelopment of the old Mac and Mac building by Bolam Property Investments and the multi-million-dollar overhaul of the Tremain's Mill site near the railway station is progressing slowly but surely.
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Nearby, work has begun on the railway museum that will continue the revitalisation of this end of Keppel Street.
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(Member for Bathurst Paul Toole, meanwhile, says utilities will start to be relocated early next year for the duplication of the Great Western Highway from Kelso to Raglan - the latest project to bring Bathurst a little closer to Sydney.)
Malcolm Turnbull was fond of saying that there had never been a more exciting time to be an Australian.
With a nod in the ex-PM's direction, we would be inclined to say that this is an exciting time to be a Bathurstian.
Our city is growing and changing, adapting and evolving, but retaining those basic elements that make Bathurst such a special place to live: the sense of community, the sense of space, the friendly and relaxed people, the history and heritage and character.
We don't yet know what 2019 is going to bring, but, if 2018 was any guide, we can expect next year to be busy.
At a guess, we'd say there are a few more building sites to come.
