Through all the turmoil that came with the resignations of former premier Gladys Berejiklian and former Nationals leader John Barilaro, Bathurst has emerged from 2021 with greater representation than ever in Macquarie Street.

Mr Barilaro's resignation cleared the way for Bathurst MP Paul Toole's ascension to the leadership of the NSW Nationals, a move that had been widely predicted for some years.

Mr Toole has proven himself to be a genuine star with in the Nationals and in his 10 years in parliament has quickly risen through the ranks.

Significantly, he has also managed to walk a more conciliatory line with the Nationals' coalition partner than had always been the case with Mr Barillaro in charge.

Mr Toole always had a good working relationship with Ms Berejiklian and since her departure has also managed to find plenty of common ground with new premier Dominic Perrottet.

That gives him a strong voice in the coalition joint party room and should ensure strong representation for the Bathurst region over the 15 months or so until the next state election.

And now, following a pre-Christmas cabinet shuffle by Mr Perrottet, Bathurst has a second voice in the cabinet in new Regional Roads and Transport Minister Sam Farraway.

Mr Farraway is also a rising star within the Nationals and has been given his first portfolio just two years after winning the race to fill a vacancy in the Legislative Council.

His portfolio is a reward for his tireless work both for the Nationals and for western communities as he has long pursued a career in politics.

It will see him carry on much of the work begun by Mr Toole in what is a very important ministry for a government desperate to prove it represents both the bush and the city.

It must be very rare for a regional city, particularly one the size of Bathurst, to have two ministers in cabinet at the same time but it can only be a good thing for our region.

We've already seen a huge influx of funding into major local roads projects during Mr Toole's time as the Regional Roads Minister and we can expect more of the same with Mr Farraway in the role.

That's something we should all celebrate heading into a new year.