We started this year with optimism after the November 2018 state election brought us $7 million for the long-awaited Reid Oval redevelopment and $16.3 million for a regional library in Warrnambool.

Our sense of pride increased when Warrnambool and the south-west was named Australia's most livable region.

But we start 2020 frustrated with the pace of planning the oval upgrade.

The city council earlier this month adopted a concept plan that will fail to deliver a facility capable of hosting state-level football matches or practice games, let alone an AFL practice match, because the project is already tipped to be over-budget. Not all user groups support the plan either.

While debate will continue, Colac in March will host Geelong and Essendon in an AFL practice match.

We can only hope the city council's recent visit to Colac to better understand how a small town less than half-the size of Warrnambool achieved the vision bears fruit. If the city council needs any further motivation, Moe this week hosted a Big Bash cricket match.

We also start the new year hoping for a timeline for the new library, a joint project between the council and South West TAFE.

We ended 2018 wondering, hoping we could convince the state government to fund a major upgrade of our aged and cramped Warrnambool Base Hospital.

We end 2019 relieved Health Minister Jenny Mikakos made good on her promise to at least visit by the end of the year.

But we are no closer to securing dollars, we need to continue campaigning so the case becomes overwhelming.

This week Wannon MP Dan Tehan described Premier Dan Andrews as the Christmas grinch for his government failing to match or even decide how to spend a federal government commitment of $60 million for the Princes Highway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy.

Again the wheels are moving painfully slow as the highway further deteriorates.

We enter 2020 with high hopes not only as individuals but as a collective. Happy new year.