Multi-nationals devouring everything in their path, it's very sad to see a great local business close. The city will be poorer for its loss.

Best wishes going forward to the staff and thanks for the memories

I am so sick of the experts telling people that there is no evidence that vaping can help people quit smoking.

I am walking, talking proof - and so are tens of thousands of other Australians, not to mention millions of others worldwide.

And why can't these experts understand, nobody is claiming that vaping is good for you, but at least it provides a much better option than smoking.

Aiming for ideals is all very well - but these experts really need to accept the facts of the real world, where people aren't perfect.

ALAN Birchmore has proof silt raking is efficient and works. Mike Seward says a return canal will solve the problem of water quality.

Others say an artificial lake will resolve the issue, while Bruce Cassidy calls for action and says those responsible should resign while I say restoration of significant water flows through the Cataract Gorge (deprived since 1955 by Trevallyn Dam) will revitalise the kanamaluka/Tamar's upper reaches (The Examiner, September 10, October 10/15). All could all be right in our assertions.

However, there is no doubt Professor Doug Foster was right when he said in his often quoted 1986 Tamar River Siltation study that to do nothing is not an option.

If nothing is done (and, sadly, that seems to be in favour with those in authority at the moment) Launceston, to its eternal shame, is going to end up with nothing more than a foul smelling mud bowl right in the heart of the city.

This will result in the inevitable complete cessation of waterborne recreational activities such as rowing, canoeing, kayaking and small boat sailing.

Tourist boats will also eventually have to cease operations (apart from possibly at high tides) and at times, until the inadequate sewage infrastructure is upgraded, the whole place will stink.

Sediment has already, very obviously, built up, with a corresponding increase in the flood risk, especially with the advent of La Nina and climate change

Over time that sediment will harden until it becomes like concrete, so hard even a major flood won't shift it.

Launcestonian ratepayers and Tamar Valley residents should ask themselves if this is what they really want for their Launceston.

If it isn't they should firmly, and forcefully, make sure their local councillors and parliamentarians are aware of their opinions.

LESS cases in Victoria than NSW and anybody travelling on Spirit of Tasmania must drive through Victoria to board.

Victorians are undoubtedly the majority of Tasmania visitors.

We should not be discluded on the back of our incompetent premier and your premier who like so many others, think they are dealing with the black death.

Every person boarding should be tested and going by the time it takes now to get a result, 12 hours approximately.

These results would be available to Spirit officials before docking at Devonport.

Too much political grandstanding and not enough looking at achievable ways to circumvent the problem pre-vaccine.

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