Cr Steve Karaitiana, the chair of Forbes Shire Council's Australia Day committee, told fellow councillors at the October meeting the difficult decision not to plan the community celebration

"We normally would have it down in Lions Park - that won't happen this year unfortunately due to COVID restrictions," he said.

Last year saw the reintroduction of the Australia Day parade and Lachlan Street was lined with people watching who then headed down to the Lake Forbes waterfront.

Live entertainment, food and fireworks certainly drew the crowds.

For 2021, the council will proceed with planning "virtual" events including the Australia Day honours presentations, and they're also looking at what can be livestreamed throughout the day, Cr Karaitiana said.

"It's a sign of the times, so it's unfortunate," he said.

"That's where we are at the moment , we'll have more news on that next month."

Mayor Phyllis Miller said it was early days but a decision had to be made in time for planning of the January 26 events.

"If Elvis has to not happen neither can our Australia Day," she acknowledged.

"We all thought about it. We can have 500 people but who do you turn away - that would be terrible we just can't do that."