Even before COVID-19 locals on unemployment didn't want to do that sort of work and producers had to rely on overseas backpackers.

It is obvious that local workers are going to be sorely needed and those on Jobseeker should have to apply for these jobs or have their payments put on hold. Any job is better than no job and being on JobSeeker.

WHAT wonderful news for Northern Tasmania.

I congratulate Vice-Chancellor Rufus Black on this realistic approach to campus locations.

I can imagine the joy of longtime campaigner, Don Wing who now sees his stance vindicated.

It is logical to base university courses where most students are generated and to have the TIA now based at Newnham is commonsense recognising agriculture is far more significant across the Northern half of our state.

I wonder if TFGA will make a parallel move?

Similarly, mining activity will be best supported from the Burnie campus and aquaculture from the Hobart campus.

The university's policy of bringing in new vice-chancellors every few years means that fresh vision replaces what can easily become blinkered vision.

So again, congratulations to all involved.

OUR government seems to be having trouble finding someone to build our new Spirit of Tasmania.

Different builders overseas have proven to be unsatisfactory and there has been a suggestion to have the hulls built overseas and be brought here to be fitted out.

We have the means to build good efficient sea-cats here but the problem of their causing seasickness remains. I suffer from seasickness and while it may not kill you, endure it long enough and you begin to wish it would. Here is my suggestion:

Build one or two large sea-cats to carry cars and freight with a co-operative package with the airlines to carry the passengers.

There would still be some seats on board for hardy souls or those averse to air travel.

I am sure it could be made to work with co-operation between air and sea services instead of competition.

THE Launceston City Council can rightly be applauded for the many excellent architectural, environmental and engineering improvements that have emerged throughout our city in recent decades.

The Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre, the Heritage Forest, the Launceston Waste Centre and, most recently, the exceptional re-development that is now River Bend Park opposite the Old Seaport, to name just a few. All of these great facilities add to the wonderful amenity of our unique and historic city in one way or another.

It is, therefore, with utter consternation, that I contemplate a most unwelcome development within the Invermay precinct.

Specifically in the Gaunt, Burns, Oswald and Herbert streets vicinity. A residential area, within which so many citizens peacefully reside. An area occupied by dozens of homes, many of which have been there for more than 100 years. Quiet, secluded and oh so pleasant, where similarly, many have lived quietly and comfortably for decades.

The proposal, if approved, to relocate and operate the Veolia recycling plant with all of its attendant noise, smells and unadorned visuality contradicts, utterly, the council's otherwise excellent and recent record.

Why is it so?

PERHAPS if the government spent more effort into helping people to voluntarily assist our vulnerable living, there would be no need to push for a Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill.