The organizers considered various scenarios and had discussions with stakeholders to see if there was a way to circumvent the cancellation.

Unfortunately, at this stage, following consultation with Local Government – and since Prime Minister Scott Morrison advised definitively that events with more than 500 punters should cancel, we have no choice but to follow this advice.

Furthermore today's federal government coronavirus update includes a new limitation on inside events of 100 people or more.

The organizers know this decision will affect a variety of people including The Hastings LGA, the venue, the ticket holders, the artists, our contractors, our sponsors, suppliers and volunteers.

The organizers were excited to announce that the event would have been Australia's first Carbon Neutral / Negative festival.

The organizers extend a special thanks for understanding to the Black Duck Brewery, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Charles Sturt University, Offtherayles, HalfCut, East Coast Music, all the artists, our audience and the people we work with.

The organizers look forward to announcing a new date for 2020 Howling Moon Festival later this year once mayhem is over.