"Because we have cancelled the big concert at the Mount, the drawcard for trouble seems to have disappeared," he said.
The mayor said if the silent disco did not have support, it was better to cancel the event sooner rather than later.
"If people don't want to go and are not buying tickets to go, how do we continue?
"These things are to try and provide an alternative but if it is not what they want that is fine."
Brownless said council staff had put in a lot of work to organise the event and would be disappointed to have to cancel all their hard work so far.
"It is also disappointing for those who have bought tickets," he said.
The council apologised for any inconvenience and said everyone who purchased a ticket to the silent disco had been notified and will be fully refunded.
A Tauranga City Council spokeswoman said the council had reassigned staff that were working on the silent disco to pick up other New Year's Eve tasks.
The spokeswoman said the council team was working at full capacity to deliver community celebrations in the Tauranga CBD and Papamoa that targeted families.
She said there were also several fireworks displays and a range of enhanced safety measures at Mount Maunganui.
The council's summary report for the 2016 New Year's Eve event showed the decision to cancel the iconic entertainment at Mount Maunganui resulted in a safe and successful December 31.
"Significantly reduced numbers of people visited the historic Mount Maunganui trouble hotspots and the observed attitudes and behaviours of revellers were dramatically improved compared to previous years," the report said.
The total expenditure for New Year's Eve 2016 was $534,000.
Police feedback reported December 31 last year was the "quietest New Year's in 10 years".
WHAT'S ON THIS NEW YEAR'S EVE?
What: Tauranga CBD New Year's Eve Community Celebration
When: Sunday, December 31, from 6pm-9.30pm
Where: Tauranga Waterfront
Cost: Free
Enjoy New Year's Eve entertainment including a mayor's barbecue, an amazing glow show, roving performers, samba, games and more. There will be early fireworks at 9.30pm and again at midnight.
What: Papamoa New Year's Eve Community Celebration
When: Sunday, December 31, from 6pm-9.30pm
Where: Gordon Spratt Reserve, 80 Alice Way, Papamoa Beach
Cost: Free
Enjoy New Year's Eve entertainment including kids rides, music, a glow show, Frozen show, street food and see Batman in his Batmobile. There will be fireworks at 9.30pm and again at midnight.
