On 11 November 2025 a full page article appeared on page 7 of the Mercury newspaper telling the story of the closure of the Hidden Garden Estate, a major wedding venue in Berriedale Tasmania. The article was surprisingly balanced, and did not directly blame the Glenorchy City Council for the closure. Local government is often an easy target for those wishing to redirect the blame for a business failure.

The post in the business’s Facebook page announcing the closure, and quoted in full by the Mercury, did however spend many words attempting to describe Council as unwilling to  make any concession or give the owners time to sort it out, and create an image of a pedantic legalistic inflexible unfeeling organisation.

The owners had not gained a permit for either the major renovations or for occupancy after the work was done. Did the rules not apply to them?

The owners should feel relieved that those who had little choice but to cancel were satisfied with refunds and have not taken legal action. They clearly suffered from actions (or more accurately lack of action) of the owners. Imagine cancelling or relocating a wedding at a month’s notice!

PS. This content of this post is based on the Mercury article mentioned.