Taste of the Huon stallholders disappointed and confused by ‘unreasonable’ restrictions on large events

Still reeling from the cancellation of the hugely popular Taste of the Huon in March, stallholders and entertainers have been left disappointed and confused by “unreasonable” restrictions.

• Organisers cancel Taste of the Huon due to COVID-19 restrictions
• Salamanca Market punters queue through streets of Hobart

STALLHOLDERS and musicians due to be part of the now-cancelled Taste of the Huon have hit out at “unreasonable” restrictions still in place for big events in the state.

Taste of the Huon vice president Mark Duggan said the decision to cancel the event was disappointing, but necessary.

He said it would affect not only stallholders and entertainers booked for the festival, but also many operators throughout the region.

“It’s all the other people in the community that are going to miss out, like the caravan park and bed and breakfasts,” he said.

Taste of the Huon vice president and fruit grower Mark Duggan. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Mr Duggan said the event would not have been viable with a limit of 2000 patrons at a time.

“We’ve got to abide by the rules of the chief medical officer of Tasmania. Rules are there for everybody and we can’t be a special case.”

Mr Duggan, who grows apples and pears at Cradoc and owns the Huon Valley Juice Company, encouraged Tasmanians to visit the region over the long weekend despite the cancellation of the Taste.

Frank’s Cider owner Naomie Clark-Port said it would have been the Franklin-based business’s ninth year at the festival and the cancellation was a huge disappointment.

“The organiser really tried hard to get it up, but the restrictions are unreasonable,” she said.

“Everyone is COVID-aware now – in our cellar door everyone hand sanitises and does the right thing – the event stalls would have been spread out around the oval and a ticketing system was going to be in place.

“It’s just another blow to businesses like mine. It’s OK for politicians who get their weekly pay packet [to make decisions on restrictions], but when you rely on something like this and also with the big Taste being cancelled as well, those are out big money makers, so it’s a double blow.”

Owner of Frank's Cider Naomie Clark-Port, left, with colleague Trina Mangles. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Musician Jeremy Sibson was due to play on both days of the event as part of the Blues Brother Revival Band.

He said he would personally lose about $1000 due to the cancellation.

“We have been COVID-free for months so when are we going to see these measures relaxed so Tasmanians can earn a living?” he said.

“It’s starting to irk a lot of people and it might be time for the government to come and explain this is why cricket for example can go ahead and why an event like the Taste of the Huon has all these restrictions.

“I went to a BBL game recently – there was no social distancing, it was like any other game except there was a cap on the crowd, and the world didn’t end and we still haven’t had a case in months.”