Intrinsic to wood burning, there are many variables that may affect particulate content, including moisture content of fuel, and the method/expertise of the owner to effectively and efficiently operate the woodheater with minimal air pollution.

The overnight smoulder during still nights is of particular concern, which disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in society, that being the elderly sector.

As the regulation of wood heater emissions is within the jurisdiction of council, the environment officer combats the environmental nuisance by sending out a fact sheet on efficient usage of the aforesaid heater, and if required, an in situ observation during Monday to Friday office hours, when the heater is usually in a non-operational mode.

The juxtaposition of a ritualised smokers gathering outside an office building, and the woodheater’s unseemly right to pollute another person’s air for an extended period of time, may be a hypocrisy to contemplate.

Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.

AT PRESENT we have 15 members of the upper house, 25 members of the lower house and 29 local councils (with approximately 263 councillors) to serve a population of just over half a million people (522,000 to be exact).

By any measure, this is nonsense.  

Tasmania simply does not need, nor can afford, this level of government.

When I accepted the offer of a transfer to Tasmania as Hobart manager of the Hardie Group of companies (plus their interstate and overseas principals) in 1963, Tasmania had 46 local councils with a population of only 36,727.

 As over half of the Tasmanian population is now over 50 years of age (the highest average age of any state or territory) with an increasing number of people leaving the workforce and therefore not paying income tax, yet requiring increased medical and hospital care, you have the classic catch 22 situation, namely an increasing demand and a reduced income.

Like any business facing increased costs and a reduction of income Tasmania must reduce its overhead expenses – namely all that is needed is a single parliament of 35 members and no more than 10 local government councils (approximately one council for each 50,000 residents).  Queensland, for example, has a single parliament, which appears to work quite satisfactorily.

In this regard Tasmania  is living on borrowed time and this needs to be seen as a priority.

Michael Scott, South Hobart.

I FOUND it rather amusing reading the story of Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus calling on CEOs of super funds, to scrutinise their financial and commercial dealings with the "corrupt and unethical” behaviours.

It seems to me by what is being reported and televised, that this has only been happening under the Liberals’ watch.

Do the banks stop and start unethical behaviour at the change of government? 

I don't think so.

As for McManus talking about ethics, I feel it is a bit rich. 

I cannot wait to see what comes out when industry super funds are scrutinised.

Even Labor leader Rebecca White wanted to use millions from superfunds for infrastructure, if she were to be elected.

The royal commision is a good thing, but why, why do people think Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s government is responsible? 

Why didn't Labor leader Bill Shorten call for it when his party was in government?

Steve Rogers, South Launceston.

I AGREE totally with Felicity O’Neill’s letter Weather and Stupidity (The Examiner, April 23).

I would add also that those drivers she mentioned also expect that if they end up smashed up in a wreck somewhere to be pulled out and put back together again by the local hospital, free of charge. 

They hold total disregard to what the cost is to the state and the community would be, and the stress on their own loved ones and those of any others involved. 

David Parker, West Launceston.

SO MALCOLM Scott sees Prince Harry as a real man and a larrakin, someone to look up to (Letters, The Examiner, April 23).  

Perhaps the reality is that members of the royal household are very privileged people who are totally removed from ordinary people with ordinary lifestyles. Positions they hold reflect their place of birth and not their achievements. 

Looking up to a real achiever from an ordinary background as a youth ambassador surely would be more inspiring and beneficial to our youth.  

Horst Schroeder, East Devonport.

I REMEMBER well the old adage “build your house on rock, not on the sand”. Could this apply to Inveresk?

I say this with emphasis on the already overloaded sewage and stormwater system. Instead of moving our Newnham campus, we should spend the money on important infrastructure.

However, given our council would rather make things look pretty, for example Quadrant Mall, Civic Square, the proposed Brisbane Street Mall redevelopment, rather than from the bottom up, a new system seems unlikely and future generations will suffer the consequences.

Ron Baines, Kings Meadows.

WOW – $19 million is to be spent upgrading the Brisbane Street Mall. Maybe, once completed, the homeless can pitch their tents and sleeping gear there to make the $19 million worth it.

Kevin Nunn, Newnham.