Fire, floods, drought and a pandemic: Leaders reflect on a tough year

Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole said there was no doubt 2020 threw everything it had at us.

"We had fire, floods, droughts and a pandemic. But what 2020 has also shown us is a remarkable community spirit," he said.

Despite the upheaval he said there was still a lot of investment in the region.

"There has been a lot of money brought forward in stimulus packages, which have resulted in jobs for the region.

Mr Toole said some of the big jobs for 2021 include the $45 million Kelso to Raglan project.

Other work includes car parking at both the rugby league and rugby union complexes in Hereford Street, along with a $4m upgrade at Tyers Park and a $3m upgrade at Bathurst Showground.

"And there's also the $25m Bathurst Regional Council has to look at water security.

"These are all projects which need to be delivered this year," he said.

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On a personal front, Mr Toole said after such a busy year, he has resolved to try and make more family time, and take better care of himself.

As minister for regional transport and roads, he has played a key role in keeping the state operational during Covid, and is the first to concede his role this year has been very demanding.

"It has been tough, so I think my new year's resolution is definitely to take better care of my self and take time out for family and get some more sleep," he said.

Mayor of Bathurst, Bobby Bourke, said 2020 will be remembered not only for the difficulties, but also the triumphs.

"Despite what the year threw at us, we kept council together, and we kept our workforce employed.

"It was difficult, we had to separate everyone into different areas, and it was hard on the budget, but at least we kept everyone employed the whole time."

He said probably the best news to come out of 2020 was the new hospital proposal, which he said was "the best news story of the year."

Cr Bourke said it was his aim to see it turn into a reality as soon as possible.

Cr Bourke said he is looking forward to seeing life return to some sort of normality after 2020. As for his own new year's resolutions, he said he just wants good health for family and friends, forget about 2020 and concentrate on 2021.