He should recall how the Flood Authority and Launceston City Council had to be bailed out to complete the flood levies.

I would not lobby for another million-dollar report into the silt. I did successfully lobby the Attorney General for the money which actually saved businesses and residents of Invermay in 2016. When the Attorney said to me that he had already promised me millions for the levy, I told him there was no point in having part of a levy that argument worked.

I would not lobby for funds to rake the Tamar, which I knew would not work.

Raking has wasted millions of yours and my taxpayer funds as anyone with an ounce of nous, can see at low tide.

Geoff Lyons, Riverside.

I AM very concerned to read in (The Examiner, April 6) that decisions for planning applications could bypass the Launceston City Council meetings.

Instead, three people, the CEO, community and place general manager and the city development officer who are not elected representatives of the community, have been given the power to pass or reject DA's.

It is certainly not democratic and there is no need for this to happen as nowadays teleconferencing is widely available.

Estelle Ross, Riverside.

IT will be interesting to observe the newly acquired and profound interest of shack maintenance conducted by owners during the forthcoming Easter break.

Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.

AS a supporter of football in Tasmania since the mid-1950s, I question the logic and motives behind a continual refusal to allow Tasmania to have our own team.

The statement that Tasmania can't sponsor a home team is nothing but a red herring as the major sponsorship for numerous existing teams comes from the likes of Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, Jeep, Mazda, etc.

Surely the most obvious solution is in two suggestions:

, to continue Hawthorn's very strong support of football in Launceston and for their similarly strong support from Tasmanians. Headquarters should remain in new facilities at Dingley but half home games to be played in Launceston. Secondly, to have North Melbourne play half their home games at Bellerive in Hobart but to retain their existing facilities in Arden Street, Melbourne. With most AFL teams being based in Melbourne, such a situation would allow each of those teams to play half of all roster games in Melbourne.

should be given similar financial support by the AFL as was given to South Melbourne and Fitzroy in the past and more recently to Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney. Tasmanian taxpayers should not be expected to contribute through government plans.

Robert Clark, South Burnie.

PREMIER Peter Gutwein should be concerned about some people flouting the rules on social distancing. What I have observed in my essential travel is people crowding areas, getting close to others and acting hostile even towards people who appear sick. It's beyond not caring, it's almost like they want the virus to spread. If police fined everyone doing the wrong thing at Kmart alone they could afford a fleet of jet fighters.

Davis Seecamp, Trevallyn.

IN THESE dire days of morgue-like CBDs and ads telling us to visit businesses that are no longer there and we aren't allowed to go to, the BCF ad featuring the possum is a one-off. You can't help but laugh at the scenario on a camping trip of a lifetime. We need more of this among the doom and gloom. I do wonder why we have the adverts exhorting us to do activities we aren't allowed to do, but I guess people have paid for them and the media feel bound to air them. Meanwhile have a laugh at the possum ad and also where we are stuck up 'ship creek'. The latter seems to be where we all are at the moment! Happy isolation everyone and try to have a laugh a day.

Glennis Sleurink, Launceston.

THE catastrophe in Italy has lessons we urgently need in Australia.

To quote one doctor: "the biggest mistake we made was to admit patients infected with COVID-19 into hospitals. We should have set up separate structures for people with the virus. Do not send COVID-19 patients into health-care facilities that are not yet infected." The virus will infect an entire building through its air-conditioning.

In Tasmania we will need to set aside one or two hospitals for COVID-19 patients only. Hospitals dedicated to the virus response will need multiple ICU beds. We should try to keep every other hospital virus free for all non-COVID-19 illnesses that our public health system has to deal with.

Bob Elliston, Bruny Island.

WHY are some people in the media trying to score points in interviews with the PM and Premier? Politicians, medical people, police and service personnel are all doing such a wonderful job and we should all be commending them for the job they are doing to protect us and keep us informed. From all of us trying to follow advice and do the right thing, a heartfelt thank you, and may God protect you.

Bill Carney, Riverside.