It's a massive blow to Maitland's declining economy but mayor Loretta Baker says council had "no choice" in its decision to cancel Taste Festival following a national gathering ban from the Federal Government.
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The decision to cancel the Saturday and Sunday event came after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a suspension of non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people on Friday afternoon in a bid to minimise the virus' spread.
The government's suspension does not come into effect until Monday, but council said in a statement the decision to cancel Taste "has been made in the best interest of the general public".
"Decisions on future events will be guided by government recommendation," the statement said.
The two-day festival, which celebrates local produce and sustainability, annually sees more than 10,000 visitors crammed into The Levee.
Cr Baker said it was an "incredibly difficult decision" to cancel the festival on such short notice.
"We really had no choice ... It's such a small space," she said. "If there is a potential public health issue, you have to respond. It was in the interest of public health.
"It was an impossible situation. We can't say we have postponed it because we don't know what the situation [with the virus] is going to be."
Former Masterchef winner Adam Liaw was set to appear along with My Kitchen Rules champions Luke Stewart and Matt Gawthrop.
But there is still pressure on Maitland City Council with preparations already underway for next month's Steamfest.
Cr Baker said she will be raising the future of Steamfest, which is scheduled for April 18 and 19, with the executive team next week as well as plans for the city's public domains including pools.
"Steamfest isn't that far away ... but a much earlier decision will be made," she said. Multiple sporting events, concerts and festivals have been cancelled across the Hunter after the announcement of the government's gathering ban.
The upcoming Newcastle Writer's Festival has been called off while an decision is still pending for Maitland's Groovin The Moo Festival.
Organisers of the Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival, which is scheduled be held on March 27 to 29, will make a decision on Monday.
The number of coronavirus cases passed 200 in Australia on Saturday.
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