TICT and State Government urge Hobart City Council to defer any decisions about Taste of Tasmania

Council is set to scrap this summer’s Taste of Tasmania festival — but both the Premier and Tourism Industry Council are asking for the decision to be deferred. HAVE YOUR SAY

TASMANIA’S peak tourism body and the State Government have urged the Hobart City Council to defer any decisions about the Taste of Tasmania’s future until after further stakeholder engagements are had.

Premier Peter Gutwein yesterday spoke with Hobart City Council Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, laying bare his “firm belief” that this summer’s Taste festival should proceed in some form.

Hobart council staff last week recommended the event not go ahead this summer “due to the number of uncertainties for large events [because of the coronavirus pandemic] coupled with the council’s need to reprioritise funding for the coming year”.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chair Daniel Leesong with some of his Coal River Farm produce. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chair Daniel Leesong — a regular Taste stallholder — also wrote to Mayor Reynolds emphasising the event’s importance to the state’s economy.

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“The Taste underpins Tasmania’s brand over summer months and the event is critically important to many stallholders, suppliers and producers across the state who are doing it tough,” he said.

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Mr Leesong said he empathised with the council’s difficult budget position and its scheduling uncertainty over the next 12 months but said it was “far too premature to draw a line through the Taste seven months out”.

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He pointed to other festivals, including Falls and the Wooden Boat Festival, which planned to proceed this summer.

Fireworks at the Taste of Tasmania NYE party. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Premier Gutwein said he had encouraged the Hobart City Council to engage with stakeholders and the industry to help find a way to hold the event.

“Accordingly, I have written to the Lord Mayor today and proposed that the HCC defer its consideration of the event until we can meet later this week to discuss the future of this iconic and important event for both greater Hobart and the state,” he said.

“In a COVID-19 environment different models will need to be considered, especially in relation to venues, participant businesses and patrons.

“I am, however, positive that a COVID-19 safe model can be developed that successfully showcases the very best of Tasmania while supporting our economy and community.”

Mr Leesong echoed Premier Gutwein’s comments in urging the council to defer its “reactionary decision”.

Cr Reynolds said she would read out Mr Gutwein’s request to defer making a decision on the event at a council meeting tonight.

“We will see what the council wants to do, but I think it’s pretty clear that everyone wants to make something happen,” she said.