Fireworks but no tweaked Taste of Tasmania on Hobart waterfront due to coronavirus limits

Hopes for a scaled-down Taste of Tasmania festival for Hobart have been dashed, with the city's council saying it's been unable to source a viable replacement.

The Taste, a week-long food and wine showcase at the end of December, and a key event on Hobart's social calendar for more than 30 years — was cancelled in its usual form in May due to uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time, there were hopes the festival would go ahead as a different, smaller event.

Coronavirus has led to the cancellation of several festivals in Tasmania, including the Dark Mofo winter festival.

In July, the Tasmanian Government called for expressions of interest in staging a modified Taste of Tasmania — but acting Premier Jeremy Rockliff said in a statement that was now deemed impossible.

Planning for the proposed smaller event was on the basis that restrictions might have been eased considerably by the end of the year.

"After working with the Hobart City Council, it's become clear that following an end of year event submission process announced in July, that a modified 'Taste' style event cannot proceed this summer in the current environment as we continue to respond to the risk posed by COVID-19 and large gatherings," he said.

Hobart City Council general manager Nick Heath said the expression of interest process attracted about a dozen submissions.

"The uncertainty around COVID-19, on large gatherings around the waterfront just made it impossible for us to commit to an event this year," Mr Heath said.

"I think the Tasmanian community genuinely appreciates that all the decisions being made at the moment have been putting their safety and the safety of anyone coming into the state first.

The council was still planning a New Year's Eve fireworks display, subject to public health advice.

"We will make further announcements on the fireworks when we have more definitive information," he said.

Alderman Zelinda Sherlock said options would be considered, such as discouraging people from gathering in the city, and instead viewing them from different vantage points around the city.

About 30,000 people attend the Taste each day with many greeting the fleet of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race as competitors sail into Constitution Dock.

Race organisers have not yet made an announcement about this year's event.

'We saw it coming'

Stallholder Mark Robertson from Lost Pippin ciders said while disappointing, "it's probably something we saw coming".

He said the company's revenue from Taste and other major festivals accounted for nearly 50 per cent of annual turnover.

"It's really difficult to replace an event like the taste … up until now it was Australia's largest and longest ongoing food and wine festival, so it's a real shame that this year we won't be having it," he said.

"The event has been crucial on our business and a lot of other small food businesses, wine businesses, cider businesses in establishing themselves.

Mr Robertson said he hoped authorities can ensure the event survives in the long-term.

"Those kind of festivals, close contact is just part of what they are, so as a festival [stallholder] we expect that festivals of that nature will probably be the last things to really come back," he said.

The State Government will spend $250,000 on a campaign to encourage Tasmanians to eat out and support local businesses over summer, as well as encouraging venues to expand their "outdoor footprint" where possible.

Mr Robertson said his company had already looked at that option.

"With the COVID situation in Tasmania and with visitors coming into the state soon, we'll be running our own series of events at the farm. We've taken it on ourselves to invite people out to the farm for the first time ever," he said.