Tas Police
Inspector John Toohey
Builder a safer festive season: how collaboration strengthened Tasmania’s hospitality experience The festive season is the most significant period of the year for Tasmania’s hospitality sector. It is a time when restaurants, bars, events, and entertainment precincts are at their busiest, and when the expectations of patrons, operators, and the wider community are at their highest. Delivering a safe, vibrant, and welcoming environment requires more than individual effort, it requires genuine collaboration. This past summer, that collaboration was on full display. Across the state, Tasmania Police worked alongside licensed venues, local councils, NGOs, and regulatory agencies to support high quality hospitality experiences while maintaining the safety of the community. The outcomes demonstrated the strength of shared responsibility and the value of coordinated planning. New Year’s Eve saw Tasmania Police maintain a strong and reassuring presence across major events and entertainment precincts. While officers responded to several isolated incidents, the overwhelming majority of patrons celebrated responsibly and safely. The positive behaviour of crowds, combined with effective venue management and strong coordination with event organisers, set the tone for a successful night across the state.
demonstrated by patrons throughout the night.
In the lead up to the festive period, Tasmania Police worked with Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) to conduct compliance checks in Hobart’s nightlife precinct. Across one weekend, 22 venues were visited and 55 crowd controllers reviewed, with all meeting required standards. These checks provided important reassurance for venue operators and reinforced the value of proactive engagement before peak trade. They also strengthened communication channels between regulators, police, and the hospitality workforce, an essential factor in maintaining smooth operations during the busiest time of year. Earlier in the summer, a joint operation between Tasmania Police and the Liquor & Gaming Branch focused on reinforcing responsible service practices across key precincts. Officers visited venues to discuss expectations around safe service, alcohol management, and venue operations. No infringements were issued, reflecting the high
An important component of the safety strategy was the use of wand searches. More than 500 wand searches were carried out across Tasmania on New Year’s Eve, with only one pair of scissors detected statewide. This reflects both the preparedness of event organisers and the cooperative approach
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Tasmanian Hospitality Review February/March Edition
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