Costs are set to sky rocket for the delivery of the Taste Festival this year, and alternatives for funding must be sought, according to Greens Alderman Helen Burnet.
“It is time that the Hobart City Council aldermen have to wake up to the fact that the Taste Festival nett cost to Hobart ratepayers of around $700,000 this year. Next year we’ll see that figure rise considerably, and the Taste Festival is likely to cost closer to $1m with the refurbishment of the Princes Wharf 1 shed, and the Taste configuration across Castray Esp towards Salamanca. This growing impost on ratepayers is not sustainable and it is not fair. Having a percentage per plate may be a way of ensuring that the costs to our ratepayer base are reduced. It should be considered.”
Ald Burnet was responding to a motion on the Council agenda by Ald Zucco, who wants any further report to not consider imposing entry fees or turnover/profit fees from stallholders. The Greens believe that a percentage of takings from stallholders could ensure the event’s success into the future.
“The Council runs a fantastic event but with consistently rising costs each year, and an expected jump in costs we do need to consider perhaps a percentage taking from stallholders per plate, and reducing the direct cost to our ratepayers.
“If Ald Zucco thinks that you can take an “if it ain’t broke then why fix it?” attitude to this, then he misunderstands financial viability of this iconic event,” Ald Burnet said.
There is likely to be hot debate over this at tonight’s Council meeting, stemming from an IMC-Link Economics Benefit Report. The report recognises the general benefits of the Taste Festival, which pumps in an estimated $15.7m into the local economy.
