The motion to cut Wagga's connection with Kunming narrowly passed at Tuesday night's council meeting after a deadlocked three-all vote.

Mayor Greg Conkey was absent due to illness and two councillors - Dallas Tout and Kerry Pascoe - declared a conflict of interest, left the chamber and did not vote.

Councillor Tim Koschel was drawn at random as the meeting's acting chairman and used his casting vote to get Cr Paul Funnell's motion over the line.

Roll ahead to 1:26 for the moment Cr Koschel okays the motion

However, Cr Koschel said he had "made a mistake" by allowing his emotions caused by the current coronavirus environment to drive his decision-making.

He said he will support the motion to overturn Tuesday night's outcome.

"I did have a gut feeling ... that I might have gone too far and did not take into account the impact the decision could have," he said.

"I should not have brought my emotions into it and it probably went a lot further than I expected the motion to go. I didn't think of the flow-on effect, which is why I have changed my mind."

Residents and community leaders had come out to voice their anger at the call to sever ties with a 32-year friendship with Kunming, with many fearing the damage had already been done.

"Yes, the damage is done but hopefully turning it around as quick as we made the decision will loosen the damage moving forward," Cr Koschel said.

Mayor Greg Conkey said an extraordinary meeting will be called in the coming days to reverse the decision.