Though it might seem like a lifetime ago, this time last year regular COVID-19 cases were being reported each day in Tasmania.
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Four new cases were recorded on the North-West, linked to the significant North-West outbreak, and the state's total number of cases at the time was 184.
Seven people had died from the virus in Tasmania and there had been just 5093 tests carried out at the time.
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One year later, the state has entered its vaccination program and almost 30,000 people have received a jab. To date 232 cases have been recorded on the island and the testing number now stands at 232,222.
Last year, amid the four new cases, Public Health Director Dr Mark Veitch said testing was crucial to getting on top of the virus.
The divisive Fragrance Hotel had just received approval but skepticism reigned supreme as to whether construction of the building would actually get underway.
Despite the approval, resident group Launceston Heritage Not Highrise indicated they would appeal the decision.
Group head Jim Collier said at the time: "We don't want Launceston become just another city, another Sydney or Melbourne".
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The skepticism stemmed from ongoing debate as to whether construction and development was viable after a series of planned developments in Launceston were shutdown.
The Josef Chromy Group led $50 million Gorge Hotel was earlier successfully appealed against along with delays to the construction of the Verge Hotel, the rejection of a carpark site at the Gas Works site and a skyway at Cataract Gorge were some of the embattled developments.
The difficulties faced in development led industry heavyweights to propose that the struggles in Launceston may well turn away potential developers and the cash they inject into the local economy.
Northern Tasmania Development Group chief executive Mark Baker said, "what is concerning is that Northern Tasmania might be seen as too risky a place to invest".
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