Mr Funnell, 58, will step down from his position as one of the city's nine councillors, effective immediately, to focus on his upcoming medical treatment.

He did not rule out running for council again but said his first priority would be his health and spending time with his family.

Wagga City Council has confirmed it has received Mr Funnell's resignation letter, which he tendered this morning after giving an emotional speech to reporters outside the council chambers.

"Unfortunately I have health issues at present that require my full attention and this prevents me from devoting the passion and commitment that is my practice to my duties as a councillor," he said.

"Under these circumstances it would be unscrupulous for me to collect a stipend from the public purse.

"I am grateful to have been an advocate for the hundreds, if not thousands, of people I have helped along the way."

He spoke of his belief in "fighting for the truth" as well as his concerns about "climate alarmism", "gender wars", and what he claimed was "the rewriting of history to suit the left narrative".

In other news

Mr Funnell leaves the council with just four of its fortnightly meetings to go before the next NSW local government elections are held in September.

He said there wouldn't be a byelection for his position and that the council would be able to function with eight councillors over the next two months.

He wouldn't confirm if he was going to throw his support behind any particular candidate at the next election.

He is known to have ties to council candidate Fiona Ziff, an outspoken flood levee advocate from North Wagga.

Mr Funnell is also an ally of Wagga Boat Club Commodore Mick Henderson, who has not yet confirmed if he will run for council but has previously indicated his interest.

Mr Funnell said it had been an "immense pleasure" to serve the people of the Wagga local government area and that his decision to step down had been a difficult one.

He cited the retention of the council meeting prayer, the brief severing of ties with Wagga's Chinese sister city Kunming, and the overturning of a council-declared climate emergency in 2019 as his main achievements during an almost-nine-year term.

He has been one of the city's most outspoken and controversial councillors, where his traditionalist, libertarian views have been divisive, but have also gained him widespread support in the community.

"I have received thousands of emails in support which I appreciated so very much," he said.

"Not all were fans, and boldly told me so, but they were the minority. I thank them all for their engagement."

He thanked council staff, particularly Scott Gray the local government manager, for their support.

He concluded his speech by quoting the English Benedictine monk Bede the Venerable: "Unfurl the sails, and let God steer us where he will".

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