Sadly not all have progressed as far the expectations that were raised when the various announcements were made.

This is not the case for the new service station and cafe development on the Great Western Highway.

Being in a prime location near Dunns Corner most people have been able watch the new development go ahead at steady rate.

Director of Isaac Property Ben Isaac confirmed works have been progressing well.

“We have a target date of February 23 for opening,” Mr Isaac said.

Good news for Mexican food lovers with the rapidly expanding Zambrero chain opening in the old heritage-listed Cooerwull Presbyterian Church.

For those who prefer a quick bite of McDonalds access to the fast food chain from the Great Western Highway is part of the development application.

A 7/11 24-hour service station will also give motorists another stopping option in the early hours.

It is positive news on the development front for the Portland community.

The developers of the old Portland Cement works are working on the re use of the site with some interesting plans put forward.

Consultant development manager for AWJ Civil Kiris Leck said that they are putting together a planning proposal for the rezoning of the site for a variety of uses following community consultation last year.

These include housing, recreational areas, uses of heritage buildings and some commercial activities.

Mr Leck said they hoped to lodge the plans in the first quarter of this year then move forward with the masterplan.

Another hoped for development seems to have fallen by the wayside. 

Lithgow residents will have to keep watching as the old TAFE building on Mort Street goes from bad to worse.

The Lithgow Mercury was excited when they received news in March last year about a proposal to reivigorate the derelict building.

It was for a major fit out to create a mixture of residential apartments and commercial opportunities.

Planning was said to be under way for 14 loft style apartments on the top floor and four commercial spaces on the ground floor.

The project appears to have stalled after an initial timeline offered of twelve months to competition.

So far the only people to move in have had to be arrested by police.

The Lithgow mercury has been unable to track down the owners of the building to confirm future plans.