The site offers the potential for between 3000- 4000 square metres of new floor space and the refurbishment of approximately 1600 square metresm of heritage floorspace in the heart of the city as well as opportunities for new public spaces and public access through the site.

Council is seeking a consortium of design and development expertise and private finance for the project. Council wants to facilitate the redevelopment of the site as it is a key component of the CBD and a site that the community also sees as important to reinvigorate and be brought back to life.

Anyone interested in the project can submit an EOI between now and the closing date in February next year. From the EOI process a shortlist will be developed and more detailed requests for proposals will be sought from those shortlisted.

Summer Reading Club

THE library is kicking off the annual Summer Reading Club challenge for kids and teens this week.

The theme of this year's challenge is Uncover and Discover, which encourages participants to explore new books, authors and interests.

Running from December 1 to January 31, the annual challenge encourages those aged 0-17 years to read as many books as they can and log their reading using a free app called Beanstack.

For every five books read, participants will receive a ticket into a prize draw. To encourage digital and information literacy, there is also a range of activities to complete for extra tickets in the overall prize draw with major and minor prizes up for grabs.

Library membership and participation in the Summer Reading Club challenge is free.

For more information on how to sign up for the challenge, visit bathurst.nsw.gov.au/library or phone 6333 6281.

IRRESPONSIBLE supermarket operators would face on-the-spot fines for failing to collect abandoned shopping trolleys from public places under sweeping reforms to NSW's impounding laws.

The overhaul of the Impounding Act would see owners of shopping trolleys, unregistered cars and trailers and stray stock face harsh penalties if they do not remove them from public places within risk-based timeframes.

We are now putting the obligations firmly on property owners and others responsible for items left in public places to do the right thing and remove them or face harsher penalties, more rapid impounding action and enforcement orders.

Home design to drive down bills

NEW sustainability standards for homes will save residents up to $980 a year on energy bills and reduce the State's carbon footprint as we move to net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) is a key assessment tool that ensures new homes are comfortable to live in regardless of the temperature, are more energy efficient and save water.

These proposed increases in standards will see more energy-efficient homes from Bathurst and beyond, with better design, better insulation, more sunlight and more solar panels.

Better design will keep your home naturally cooler in summer and warmer in winter, so you won't be turning the heater or air conditioner on as often.

Energy bills are expected to fall as a result of the new BASIX standards, including savings of up to $980 a year for people living in new houses in the regions.

The community is encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed BASIX changes by Monday, January 31 at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/BASIX-standards.