Organisers announce cancellation of Royal Hobart Show

Organisers have cancelled this year's Royal Hobart Show, saying Coronavirus restrictions would make it impossible for the event to go ahead in October.

Despite Tasmania introducing an easing of COVID-19 restrictions as of yesterday, the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania (RAST) made the decision to cancel the annual event over fears that it could not guarantee patron safety at the Show.

Having notified the Show's 5,000 to 6,000 exhibitors of the cancellation by email on Friday, RAST Chief Executive Scott Gadd said the cancellation would cost the organisation close to $500,000 in lost income, but it would be able to weather the financial hit.

Gadd told stakeholders the Society had reluctantly decided to cancel it because organisers could not guarantee the safety of patrons with an appropriate COVIDSafe plan at the showgrounds.

However, he did advise that the Society is looking at whether smaller events can take place with appropriate social distancing measures in place on the Show Day public holiday which will still be observed.

Gadd stated “we are going to leave the door open to run some semblance of an event once we know what's possible.

"That would most likely happen on the public holiday if at all it can happen. The public holiday is legislated."

On the financial impact of cancellation, Gadd added “we've got pretty solid reserves in the bank, those investments are generating income that we're depending on, particularly now.

"It's not something we can absorb very easily, we still have to pay insurance, power, water, wages and all the other costs that go with keeping the place ticking over for 12 months of the year, so it is going to be a bit of a blow.

"But it certainly won't be the end of the Royal Hobart Show."

The Royal Hobart Show has shifted away from traditional elements like showbags, sideshows and rides with an increased emphasis of agriculture, food and entertainment over recent years and in 2018 was reduced from four to three days. The four-day format was restored in 2019.

Staying financially viable has been a challenge faced by agriculture shows across the country, including in Tasmania.

In 2017, the Launceston Show was cancelled before returning in a reduced format while the Devonport show was cancelled in 2017, with the showground site that had been used for 111 years being sold for an affordable housing development.

The Burnie Show is still planning to go ahead in early October but organisers are waiting for advice from the Tasmanian Government.