Jenny McNamara, Bindoon, Western Australia

What a joke - asking the state to pay to install sprinkler systems to spray water from trees to protect bats from overheating when we are bombarded by other government-appointed bodies to reduce water usage. What state-provided services would have to be ignored just to meet these extra expenses?

How do you convince people not to waste water when it is being used to provide no apparent benefit to people?

Are we to have more delays in improving all state transport systems, reductions in public health services or reductions in education services now sparse in many country areas?

What about the continual outcry that many government workers are underpaid?

James Judd, Colac

Re Terry Manley's letter regarding crisis assistance to the endangered grey-headed flying fox (The Standard, Feb 22). The habitat of the grey-headed flying fox has diminished in eastern Australia largely due to habitat destruction by humans and human-induced climate change. Grey-headed flying fox numbers are in great decline. Ever more frequent heat events, severe drought and starvation kill tens of thousands each year. Flying foxes only have one pup per year, in comparison to mice which can produce hundreds. There is only one rare disease humans can contract from them (Lyssavirus), and this is only transmitted by bite or scratch, and is generally a rare occurrence. Direct contact with bats is definitely to be avoided, however, if bitten or scratched, an effective post-exposure vaccine is available. Flying foxes help build forests by pollination and seed dispersal. Over 100 species of native trees require flying foxes for effective reproduction, and it's a job they've been doing on this continent for 2 million years. The installation of water-efficient sprinkler systems under key trees in the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens for use during a few extreme heat events a year is money that will be wisely and ethically spent. It is a sound investment in the future of our flora, fauna and our broader environment.

Monique Ferrier, Warrnambool

Melbourne's Archbishop Peter Comensoli has placed every Catholic priest in Victoria in a conflicted situation. Do they follow his lead and defy the law by refusing to reveal to the proper authorities any child sexual abuse information obtained from the confessional ? Alternatively do they put the safety of children over the already tarnished reputation of the church through complying with the mandatory disclosure legislation of the Andrews government enacted 10 days ago. Every practising Catholic should demand compliance not only because its the proper response but is also consistent with the 2018 recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Tony Delaney, Warrnambool