How Hobart council can help launch your next street party

A West Hobart street last held a street party buzzing with music and good vibes with the help of a council grants program. Now, other communities have been encouraged to host their own.

Scott Clear West Hobart resident on left with members of Baby Come Tack band Felix Smith Mel Brown, Matthew Ives, Peter Gee and West Hobart resident Ian McDonald. My Street Community Parties grants from City of Hobart opening soon. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

West Hobart’s Newdegate St threw a party that was “bigger than Ben-Hur” the last time it received the My Street Community Parties grant, and it plans to go even bigger this time around.

Newdegate St resident Ian McDonald, who organised the party in 2023 alongside Scott Clear and Chris Archer, said more than 250 people turned up to the event that shut down the top-end of the street.

“For weeks and weeks afterwards, I had people stopping me in the street saying, are you going to do it again?” Mr McDonald said.

Scott Clear West Hobart resident on left with members of Baby Come Tack band Felix Smith Mel Brown, Matthew Ives, Peter Gee and West Hobart resident Ian McDonald. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

He said the party invite was largely reliant on letterbox drops around the block and word of mouth, but this year, with more people expected, there would be a “little more” advertisement in prominent places.

The Hobart City Council is opening up the My Street Community Parties grant for communities like Newdegate St to throw a party.

The council’s grant will support organisers with in-kind support such as event infrastructure and traffic management.

Mayor Anna Reynolds said the events were a fantastic way for neighbours to come together, meet new people, and celebrate the local community.

“We’ll support residents to create a unique, neighbourhood outdoor event — whether it’s a talent show, a food-making contest, or a gathering around a band,” Ms Reynolds said.

“These events are about reconnecting with your neighbours and bringing a sense of vibrancy to your local parks or streets.”

The City is hoping to support five community parties this year with expressions of interest now open via the City of Hobart website.

Mr McDonald said their earlier success showed a way to engage with the community, and “and it’s not going to cost them [Hobart City Council] a million dollars”.

He recommended any streets on the fence of whether to apply for the grant, to do so.

If Newdegate St is successful, the yacht rock sounds of Baby Come Tack will be heard from Mr McDonald’s driveway once again.

Originally published as How Hobart council can help launch your next street party