In late 2019 this paper published my letters wherein I questioned councillors and/or planners competency.

Councillor's (according to Cr Rob Soward) based their decision on the professional advice of planners that the plan was compliant - ignoring the advice would have no doubt resulted in RMPAT ruling in favour of the applicant, JAC.

That was wrong, but perversely prescient. And the device to overcome the error is cynical and disingenuous. It fails the pub test. Try it: is 24 metres also 42 metres?

This council is not fit to make this decision until the past error is independently investigated and the findings published.

In short I ask again: were the planners incompetent and/or the councillors contemptuous of their obligations to apply the planning schema?

It is dangerous to proceed on this Gorge Hotel journey until we understand the clunking noise from the engine.

Sympathy to JAC: you deserve better.

WELL I hope Doris Peisley had a great 100th birthday (The Examiner, July 30), but she is definitely not Longford's oldest resident. My grandmother Jean Jones who has lived at Longford for over 20 years after moving from Bracknell will be 101 later this year after celebrating her 100th last year and still going strong.

I FIND that the flying of the Aboriginal flag at public buildings in conjunction with the Australian flag is only going to further the division within our nation.

Are we not all Australian? Are we next going to see the boy Scout flag also being flown on our public buildings?

I for one object to this decision as it does not promote Australians as one nation.

MANY of the people of Westbury feel as if we are at war with our council over a prison. It's almost two years since the government dropped this bombshell on us with no warning, no consultation, no chance to say no thanks. Our mayor welcomed the announcement while most of us were still in shock.

The more we have objected to this denial of democracy and justice, the wider our distance from our council has become.

We aren't discussing a permit for a chook shed in someone's backyard here, we're talking about a maximum security prison, maybe eventually the only maximum security prison in the state, on the doorstep of our small village.

This would define Westbury for the next 100 years. Communities have a right to expect that the people they elect to local council will listen to them, consult with them, represent them.

Sadly we feel like our council has abandoned us over our objection to this prison.

IT beggars belief that vaccines are not being shared with states that are most in need. How on earth can not sharing vaccines be justified when people are dying?

I have never felt so disappointed in the leadership of this country.

THE crises continue in health, education, child protection, income support, aged care, youth justice, disability care, Aboriginal rights and health, the environment, climate change and more.

Despite numerous inquiries and royal commissions nothing changes as selfish political interests and "business as usual" trump recommendations.

The pandemic has taught us that political beliefs are not enough for good social policy. Evidence and rational, informed decision making is now clearly the way to proceed.

The usual politics of brief terms and political and corporate self-interest has hobbled our progress as a nation. What is clearly needed is long-term vision and planning.

We need expert commissions for key social policy areas that set long term, sensible plans that provide a path towards our agreed goals of social justice, an educated and healthy population and a sustainable lifestyle.

Governments could then be judged at elections for their abilities in moving us all down those paths.

If we truly care about a future worth having; something for our children and their children to look forward to; we can't keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome.

More of the same is no longer an option. The time for meaningful change is now a national imperative and time is running out.

CONGRATULATIONS to Tasmania for being head of the pack economically.

Full credit must be given to Premier and Treasurer Peter Gutwein, who is an astute financial manager.

Particularly pleasing is our leadership in housing starts and new equipment funding.

State infrastructure spending is also pleasing, something that benefits us all.

Not all Tasmanians, of course, experience this prosperity and it behoves those enjoying good times to look to the needs of others by maybe increasing hours of employment or offering positions to those unemployed.

It is a good time, as well to donate to charitable causes. Let all Tasmanians share in this prosperity.