Taste of Tasmania: Hobart City Council gears up for first cashless event

WITH the first cashless Taste of Tasmania around the corner, organisers admit they could have better explained the new payment system at the event.

Alderman Damon Thomas at the Launch of the Taste of Tasmania. Byline - Richard Jupe

WITH the first cashless Taste of Tasmania around the corner, organisers admit they could have better explained the new payment system at the event.

The iconic summer festival will run from December 28 to January 3 at Princes Wharf 1 and surrounds, with food stalls and entertainment spilling across the Salamanca and Parliament House lawns.

“There is a perception out there in the community that you’ll need a special Taste card but in actual fact you will use exactly the same debit/credit card you use every day,” Ald Damon Thomas said.

“Effectively the only difference is you won’t be walking around with a load of money in your pocket.”

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Ald Thomas said the Hobart City Council anticipated the 27th Taste event would bring locals and visitors alike to the waterfront.

“Over the past week, people have seen the marquees and the fences go up around Salamanca, which helps to create a sense of excitement that summer is finally here and Hobart gets to enjoy another Taste.”

About 100,000 people attended the Taste last year, usually more than once, resulting in more than 260,000 visitations for the duration of the event.

There are 63 stalls at this year’s event, slightly down on last year, including 17 first time stallholders.

The biggest line-up of entertainment ever featured at the Taste will include headline act the Black Sorrows.

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