State government and Falls Festival organisers in talks over future of renowned summer event
Less than six months before a much-loved Tasmanian summer festival, organisers and the state government are engaged in talks to determine if the event will go ahead. DETAILS >>
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TALKS between the state government and Falls Festival organisers are thrashing out whether the event could be resurrected and go ahead this year.
The major music extravaganza held between Christmas and the new year, which was first held at Marion Bay in 2003, was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus crisis.
And the most recent Covid-19 developments across the country – which have forced almost half the country’s population into lockdown – have thrown the future of events into doubt.
In April this year, Falls promoters refused to confirm whether the event would return to Tasmania, but they are now locked in talks with the state government about its future.
During the state election campaign, the Liberals promised an $8m Events Support and Attraction Fund intended to secure existing events and festivals, and attract new ones.
With less than six months remaining until the dates the festival is held, the state government said talks were ongoing with festival organisers.
“Through Events Tasmania, the government has engaged with the organisers of the Falls Festival and discussions are ongoing,” a government spokeswoman said.
Secret Sounds, promoters of the Falls Festival, confirmed the government had made contact, but did not give an indication about the likelihood of the event going ahead.
“Falls Festival has been contacted by the Premier’s office and Events Tasmania,” a spokeswoman said.
“There has been interest in supporting the Falls Festival in Tasmania and we look forward to scheduling a meeting soon.”
Like many events, Falls was cancelled last summer because of the uncertainty caused by coronavirus.
In announcing the cancellation in July last year, Falls organisers stopped short of guaranteeing the event would return, saying they “remained hopeful” of coming back in the future.
When unveiling the Liberals’ events fund before the May 1 election, Premier Peter Gutwein said events such as Falls were tourism drawcards and economic drivers for the state’s regions.
“We want to continue shining a light on our regions through iconic events, and this fund will help draw tens of thousands more visitors to Tasmania, providing much-needed stimulus for local business, tourism and hospitality across our regions,” Mr Gutwein said at the time.
Originally published as State government and Falls Festival organisers in talks over future of renowned summer event
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