Hobart City Council set to cancel Taste of Tasmania this year due to ongoing coronavirus uncertainty

UPDATED: In another blow to the struggling hospitality industry, one of the state’s major food festivals has announced it most likely won’t go ahead this summer. But there is hope on the horizon.

THE Taste of Tasmania is set to be cancelled this year due to social distancing and ongoing uncertainty over the fallout from COVID-19.

In another blow for the state’s hospitality industry, the traditional eight-day food and beverage festival is not expected to go ahead, but will be subject to review as the year progresses.

A Hobart City Council report to be discussed at their council meeting on Monday night says there are “too many unknowns” to go ahead with the iconic summer event.

A smaller pop-up New Year’s Eve event with fireworks may still go ahead.

Tens of thousands of people attend the Taste of Tasmania each day during the eight-day event. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“The Taste averages 30,000 to 35,000 people though the gates in a day,” the council report reads.

“In recent years there have been days when that number has been in excess of 50,000 people. “The site is at times extremely busy with peak loads in the shed and at the entertainment stages meaning that people are in very proximity to each other for long periods of time.

“Many commentators are suggesting social distancing is here to stay for some time – at least until a vaccine for COVID-19 is developed and distributed – which could be 18 months away.

“There has been no indication yet of when or how large-scale outdoor events such as the Taste should proceed – in fairness, it is too early for government to accurately give such a commitment.”

John Caire, of Festival Tempura Mushrooms, left, has been involved with the Taste since its first event and, along with Fred Peacock, of Bream Creek Vineyard, has been honoured with a statue at the event site.

Stallholder John Caire has had his popular tempura vegetables at the Taste since its inception 32 years ago and said it was time to overhaul the festival during the down time.

“This is the opportune time to re-look at the Taste entirely because it’s got out of control – the council can’t continue to pump millions of dollars into it,” he said.

“I think it should be reduced to four days and not try to be a music festival, a gin festival, a whisky festival and everything else.

“It was originally a food and wine festival and I think it should be brought back to its origins. “That will mean Hobart ratepayers aren’t subsidising something for the rest of the state as well.”

TASTE OF TASMANIA’S STELLAR RESULTS DESPITE SHORTER EVENT

Destination Southern Tasmania chief Alex Heroys said the potential cancellation would leave a huge hole in the state’s summer.

“There is no doubt that a summer without the Taste of Tasmania – perhaps the key event and rallying point for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race finish – will leave a huge hole in the state’s event landscape,” he said.

“With uncertainty surrounding short- to medium-term levels of visitation, operational issues with social distancing and the reduction in revenue for the council, we can understand that the [cancellation] conversation needs to be had now.”

Destination Southern Tasmania CEO Alex Heroys. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Labor leader Rebecca White said the event generated revenue for hundreds of Tasmanian small businesses both directly and indirectly.

“The State Government must ensure that every dollar that would have been spent on the Taste of Tasmania remains committed to hosting summer events that will support our tourism, hospitality, arts and culture businesses as they work hard to recover from the impacts of COVID-19,” she said.

Brooke Webb stepped down as Taste of Tasmania festival director earlier this year. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

One of the state’s most popular festivals, the format was due to be reviewed as the council looked for a new director to take the event to the “next level”.

Inaugural director Brooke Webb stepped down from her role earlier this year.

TASTE OF TASMANIA FESTIVAL WEAVING A WEBB OF CHANGE

Since starting with the Taste in September 2017, Ms Webb’s directorship resulted in a sponsorship increase of 537 per cent and investments of more than $500,000 injected into developing the local arts and culture scene.

The State Government previously locked in $250,000 in funds for the 2020-21 season, but Ms Webb said earlier this year that increased costs had created a greater need for improved revenue streams.

“Currently New Year’s Eve and the daily reserve seating are the only revenue-drivers that we have at the festival,” she said at the time.