Tasmania is recognised nationally and internationally for delivering a range of vibrant and bespoke events, reinforcing our strong brand and providing significant economic and social benefits to our State.
As we work to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, getting our home-grown events back up and running is also a key priority in rebuilding visitation as part of the Government’s T21 Visitor Economy Action Plan.
The Ultimate Showdown to be hosted on Saturday night at Carrick Speedway is an example of what can be achieved through the organisers working with Government to ensure the event can be delivered in a COVID safe way.
The Ultimate Showdown has been given approval to go ahead under the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s Framework for COVID-19 Safe Events with organisers submitting a COVID safety plan for a level 3 event that details their approach to managing an event in a safe environment. Carrick Speedway received a $5,000 Event Ready Grant to help meet the additional expenses associated with developing their COVID-19 safety plans and managing COVID safe events. This Tasmanian Government grant program assists event organisers to identify and implement COVID-19 safe practices and has already supported a number of events with their safety planning.
We set up the Framework for COVID-19 Safe Events and Activities in Tasmania, to support event organisers to plan for larger events while ensuring the safety of our community remains paramount.
Of the 41 events already submitted, I’m pleased to announce 28 have been approved with further assessments underway.
Among those applications approved so far are:
· Botanical Gardens Concert Series
· Wellness Expo
· Street Eats
· Devonport Cup
· Latrobe, Carrick and Hobart Speedways
· Rowing Tasmania’s Regattas
· BBL10
· Hobart Regatta
The purpose of this Framework is to outline the thresholds, principles and requirements to assist event organisers identify and manage the risk of COVID-19 for a range of event and activity types in a diverse range of settings.
The Framework establishes three levels of events and the assessment that is required before they can proceed. This means events are being delivered in a different way than they were prior to the impacts of COVID-19 to ensure compliance with all the COVID-19 safety measures.
We all have a responsibility to keep on top of COVID-19, and the way Tasmania’s event organisers have embraced the Framework is a promising sign as we look to host more events.
Tasmanians love their events, whether it’s a local footy game, motorsport, theatre production or favourite food and wine festival, and as we continue the commencement of larger scale events I encourage Tasmanians to keep showing their support, be responsible and to follow COVID safe behaviours to keep doing the things we love.
I’d like to thank the organisers around Tasmania who have worked very hard to adjust to the changes by bringing forward a raft of innovative ideas to ensure Tasmanians can once again attend the events they enjoy.
Event organisers can continue to register their events and submit their COVID-19 Safety Plan through the Business Tasmania website.
For more information please visit: www.business.tas.gov.au/eventsframework
More Media Releases from the Minister for Small Business, Hospitality and Events