The proposed Amendments to Planning Provisions and Controls for Nelson Bay is already an anachronistic proposal.

Covid-19 is teaching us many things. It appears that outdated thinking is still with us. It will have far-reaching implications for our futures.

We have learnt that high-density living has risk (the lock-down of Melbourne public housing towers for example). We are yet to see the design changes to building codes for such structures such as separate heating, cooling and air supplies for each residence. If the Melbourne towers were not enough to convince us, add high density cruise lines and air transportation.

We have also seen the disruption to our working environments. Looking forward, organisations may not be able to hide behind facades of out-sourcing, consultant reports, sub-contracting and casual employment. Some businesses are already reacting to this learning, bringing back into their organisations the outsourced functions. An example is off-shore call centres. This should mean to future development, greater emphasis on: building codes; scrutiny of Development Applications; sourcing and checking of construction materials (Londons Grenfell Tower); removal of sampling inspections; and issuance of building certificates.

Look forward to the post-pandemic litigation firestorm if these signs are ignored. Covid-19 is not the last pandemic that we shall see in our lifetime. SARS was only sixteen years ago. A strategy that was devised in 2018, or prior, is no longer fit-for-purpose in 2020/21.

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The seriousness of Covid-19 cannot be underestimated and, while it is thankfully not at epidemic proportions in the Port Stephens area, it could quickly become so if due care is not taken.

While shopping at Salamander Bay shopping centre recently, I observed that very few of the employees of the supermarkets were wearing masks. With the large number of people shopping at these stores surely the management should require all staff to wear masks? I regard this as irresponsible and a breach of their civic duty during this pandemic. I do realise that wearing of masks is not yet compulsory but isn't prevention the best policy?

Would other readers agree and what reasons do the management of the major stores offer?

READ: Letters to the Editor: August 6

The do-gooders who rant endlessly about sand mines and developers fail to understand the greatest threat to our koalas: bushfires.

Tilligerry koalas are safe for a few years because a winter bushfire two years ago cleaned up all the fire fuel. No koalas died because the fire did not get into the tops of the trees. The following summer a howling bushfire fanned by a 90km/h westerly came our way. It hit the burnt out scrub and went out.

It's a very different story for the Tomaree Peninsular. Decades of fuel build-up means that a big summer fire will be un-fightable. If the koala mob campaigned for burn-offs the koalas (and residents) could be safe.

As things stand, the place is a disaster waiting to happen.

I would like to agree wholeheartedly with Gerry Mohan's comments [Examiner, Letters, August 6].

My family and I were residents of Fingal Bay for 45 years. Now our daughter and her family live in Nelson Bay. She is on the front line everyday with the fire brigade and we understand that police and ambulance deal with Covid-19 [risks] every day. Everyone should wear a mask to protect the community and front line worker as well.