The debate around shifting the Devonport Show Day Holiday looks set to continue, with the Devonport City Council voting to take it back to the community again.
While there’s been no Devonport Show since 2017, the last Friday in November is still a public holiday, referred to as Devonport No-Sow Day by many in the community.
The push to change the date initially came from the Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with retailers concerned with losing a day of trading close to Christmas and shoppers going to Launceston or Burnie instead.
There’s also been evidence people from the Western end of the Coast travel to Devonport to shop on Burnie Show Day in October.
A survey conducted by the council and the chamber showed the majority of participants did not want to change the date, but many who wanted it changed did not have an alternative in mind.
However, the council believes the issue now needs to go back to the community, with a steering committee with representation from the council, the chamber and the community.
