The blow to Wagga's events calendar was announced three days ago when mayor Greg Conkey explained the decision was made in the interest of public safety and in keeping with restrictions on gatherings due to the global pandemic.

However, Wagga councillor Paul Funnell said the decision to cancel was "a cop out" when measures could be used to ensure the event could happen safely and in line with COVID-19 protocols.

Cr Funnell said events in other cities are still set to go ahead and the decision to cancel was "disappointing".

With almost two months to still plan the New Year's Eve event, he said the council could even proceed with a fireworks display rather than canning the event altogether.

"There has to be a way to organise these things. We can't just keep blaming everything in the world on COVID-19," he said.

"This has far reaching consequences economically, socially and event-wise."

However, Wagga resident Saba Nabi said she would not feel comfortable taking her 10-year-old daughter to this year's celebrations even if the event went ahead as originally planned.

Ms Nabi said it is too difficult for parents to ensure the children abide by proper social-distancing rules.

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It is also her concern that once borders reopen and people start travelling again, the event will be "a bit risky" because the council cannot stop people from different cities attending.

"There was a possibility that they could have explored more options, but having said that ... I am sure the council is looking out for the benefit of the community," she said.

"I am happy it was cancelled in case there was an epidemic or outbreak and we're not in the position to handle it."

Wagga resident Marjan Duggan, on the other hand, said there might be a missed opportunity to go ahead with a fireworks display at Lake Albert where residents could spread out and watch.

After a difficult year she said it might have been something small to lift people's spirits.

"I can understand why the activities have been cancelled because there won't be much distancing with the kids around," she said.

"But, the kids also loved the fireworks so they will miss that."

Wagga father Dwayne Nicholls, who is the owner of Project Paintball, said his business holds an annual event that has become popular for metropolitan players, who bring their families along for the New Year's Eve celebrations.

Mr Nicholls' concern is players might be less likely to bring their families along if there are no fireworks, which means the community misses out. However, he respects that it is "a tough decision" that the council has made to cancel this year's event.

"We have done a decent job with COVID-19 and we should be able to get back to some sense of normalcy soon, but I also wouldn't want to be in the position to make the wrong call. So I am happy to leave that up to those guys," he said.

Wagga mother Jenny Storrier said she is certain there were many families looking forward to the New Year's Eve celebration, who are now feeling disappointed. However, she said many tough decisions have been made this year and cancelling the event is just another one.

"It is hard to have an opinion because decisions have to be made, but they're not always the right ones," she said.

"There seems to be a whole lot of public things going ahead and being a small country town it is not like we draw crowds like Sydney.

"There are probably a mix of people who think it is irresponsible to do it and then a mix of people who are disappointed.