Taste of the Huon cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Madeleine Ogilvie appeals to state govt
The state government won’t budge on levels of restrictions that will allow much-loved events like the Taste of Huon to go ahead, despite pleas from all parts of the community. LATEST >>
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INDEPENDENT Clark MP Madeleine Ogilvie has asked the state government to intervene to hep the cancelled Taste of the Huon event to go ahead.
However the state government will not be moved on the current level of restrictions for large events, and says all events can apply for funds to help meet COVID-19 requirements.
Taste of the Huon organisers announced on Friday the 2021 event would be cancelled.
The two day festival held over the March long weekend can attract 20,000 people over two days.
However under current COVID-19 restrictions on large events, the festival was only allowed to cater for 2000 people at a time, making it financially unviable.
Ms Ogilvie said the state government could offer support to the event
“We need to support local jobs for musicians, entertainers and small businesses. We have lost a number of events this year let’s move quickly to save the Taste of the Huon,” she said.
“Let’s remember this event is run by fantastic volunteers who need our support to run the event in a safe way.
‘Everyone understands COVID restrictions are for public safety but the cost of meeting requirements can be prohibitive.”
The request was instigated by Ms Ogilvie, not by the Taste of the Huon committee.
President Rosemary Bennett said while the committee appreciated Ms Ogilvie’s support, it remained concerned public safety and was not seeking government assistance to revive the 2021 event.
A spokesman for the state government said the Taste of the Huon was eligible for a $5000 grant available to help events comply with COVID-19 rules.
“Ultimately any final decision about an event is up to the organisers, and we recognise that a number of events have had to make difficult decisions to be able to comply with COVID-safe plans as well as ensure their long term viability,” the spokesman said.
“We will continue to support event organisers during this challenging time, as we have already done with a number of event organisers to make sure they have the right measures in place to stage them in a COVID-safe way.
“Examples of events that have been held or happening right now are MONA Foma, the Big Bash, Speedway, the major Race Tasmania series event and the Longford and Devonport Cups which have all been able to go ahead with advice and support from the Tasmanian Government with consideration to COVID safety provisions.”
ORGANISERS PULL THE PIN ON BELOVED CELEBRATION
January 22, 2021
ORGANISERS have cited concerns for the long-term future of the Taste of the Huon after the decision to cancel the 2021 event because of coronavirus gathering restrictions.
The event, in its 29th year, was due to be held on March 7 and 8.
Stallholders and entertainers were informed of the decision on Friday.
Taste of the Huon president Rosemary Bennett said the organising committee was devastated to cancel the event, but feared for the festival’s long-term future if it had gone ahead in a reduced format this year.
“Financially we didn’t think it would be viable because we were only allowed so many people on the ground throughout the day,” Mrs Bennett said.
“We are a voluntary committee and we work the Taste of the Huon like a business, we have to make X amount of money to continue the following year.”
Mrs Bennett said the committee was also concerned about community wellbeing.
“What are local Tasmanians going to feel about coming to a festival that’s going to have lots and lots of people there? We were concerned about whether they were going to come … and we thought what if someone does get COVID-19 at the Taste of the Huon?” she said.
The Taste of the Huon is one of the biggest events on the southern Tasmanian food and wine calendar and a significant economic driver for the Huon region and local producers.
Last year’s event at Ranelagh Oval attracted over 20,000 patrons over the two days, despite numbers being down amid the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the state government’s large events framework unveiled in October, as a level two event the Taste of Huon would have been allowed a maximum of 2000 people on the ground at one time.
Stallholder applications were opened in November and live entertainment lined up had included the Wolfe Brothers, The Blues Brothers, Hugo Bladel and Gabriele Dagrezio.
Originally published as Taste of the Huon cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Madeleine Ogilvie appeals to state govt
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