It was also wonderful to see so many children involved too. We must not forget this very important day.

I AM not clear about several things from reading Mr Gutwein's recent contribution (Opinion, April 15) regarding the Tamar River, and it would be good to have more information about his views.

It doesn't come through that he wants to see the problems of this river solved or that he feels he has any role in it.

Does he have a view on how to solve it and does he think the Launceston City Council is capable of solving it with or without Commonwealth help?

Is it a Commonwealth problem? Are the dividends from TasWater he mentions sufficient funds to solve it under some plan of his?

Does he feel that the Launceston City Council has jurisdiction over the water flows in the Cataract Gorge? Are these water flows part of the problem in his opinion? Saying that the present situation occurred under the council’s watch over the last 150 years doesn't seem any more helpful than being concerned about whose watch the present traffic problems in Hobart developed under.

I feel we need to hear more from Mr Gutwein than the unsatisfying piece published. Has he been quoted in full?  Is it possible to prompt him further?

TASWATER amaze me; despite numerous dire warnings over the years on just how badly contaminated the Tamar’s upper reaches are chief executive Mike Brewster says rationalising Launceston's sewage treatment plants from seven to one “would reduce raw sewage going into the Tamar by 18 per cent,” (The Examiner, April 22).

Why are they even considering a scheme which will permit even the slightest amount of sewage to continue entering the river; in this millennium disposal of ‘any’ amount of sewage into our rivers and waterways is no longer acceptable? A modern state of the art tertiary treatment facility, equal to if not better than Melbourne’s Eastern Treatment Plant, which will totally prevent raw sewage entering Launceston’s waterways is the only option which should be being considered.

Trying to save a few cents now will only result in having to spend many, many more dollars in the future when anything less than the best is found wanting, as it inevitably will.

IF WE wait long enough the government may, hopefully, produce some significant policies for public consideration. Obviously with a front bench on “L” plates or training wheels and their only obvious experience limited to verbal abuse or political historic reincarnation, we should not be too impatient, even if the nation and the economy cries out for it, for we got what we voted for.

Treasury would be well advised to close the purse now and hide it until after the election when experience hopefully will appear from somewhere.

THE current rash of reality television shows are a primary motivator for the morbidly obese to gain more fat, salt and sugar. The Liberal Party answer is to have more willpower. The federal government described how to eat less fat, sugar salt and alcohol.  The advertisements for these cooking shows and magazine food based articles should attract a disclaimer that they do not recommend health food and are not compliant with government guidelines.