Report shows Hobart City Council’s inconsistent approach to the Taste of Tasmania has hurt the festival

A new report has been scathing about Hobart City Council’s damage to the reputation of the Taste of Tasmania.

The crowd at the Taste of Tasmania after the official opening

HOBART City Council’s lack of vision, unclear budget parameters and poor planning has hurt the reputation of the Taste of Tasmania, a new report says.

A council report into the future of the festival, which did not take into account this year’s event, shows that to meet community expectations the Taste must continue with a budget of at least $1.6 million.

PUSH FOR STATE TO KICK IN MORE FOR TASTE

Gates open on the first day of the Taste of Tasmania for 2018-19. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

The report notes seven issues regarding the festival:

LACK of vision — The council needs to commit to Taste for a period of time with a clear vision for what it wants the festival to be.

LACK of a clear budget — Historically, the budget for the event has been set year to year usually in July but sometimes not until September. This has led to a “cut and paste” approach.

INSUFFICIENT time to plan — Council budgets are handed down in July giving festival organisers less than six months to plan Taste.

FESTIVAL RAISES THE BAR TO A NEW LEVEL

TIMELINESS of decision making — This year, the council delegated all authority regarding Taste fees and charges to the general manager which has removed much of the politics from the event.

INSUFFICIENT human resourcing — Often the festival is left with people with insufficient skill sets placing pressure on staff and raises the question: is the council providing a safe workplace?

CROWD NUMBERS UP BUT SALES ARE DOWN

POOR community, media perception — The festival has been historically viewed as disappointing, tired and dull.

INSUFFICIENT sponsorship — Council seeks sponsorship from August to October when most large corporations have set their sponsorship budgets. Due to negative public perception, sponsors do not want to be associated with Taste.

Tiffany Fiechtner and Edward Laverack wave goodbye to the 30th instalment of the Taste Of Tasmania. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Approaches to the State Government have been made late in the year making meaningful discussion difficult.

MARTI ZUCCO: BEATING THE ODDS TO TASTE SUCCESS

The council invested $1.6 million in the 2018-19 festival and a similar commitment for the next five years was advised in the report.

The community, culture and events committee on Wednesday instead opted to survey Hobartians and ask them if they want to continue funding Taste.

Festival director Brooke Webb reflects on this year’s Taste of Tasmania Festival. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Councillor Bill Harvey voted against the motion.

TASTE MARKS 30 YEARS

“To go out and ask a handful of people what they think of Taste and whether or not we should fund it is poor governance,” he said.

“Let’s look at the 260,000 patrons who went through the gates because I think that’s a ringing endorsement of this festival.”

[e-mail]