After rejecting the previous design in August, which was a "W" shape, councillors had asked for a second attempt including the cormorant bird significant to Wangaratta.

Social media comments since the design was released last week pointed to its phallic nature, but that was not mentioned at last night's meeting.

Mayor Dean Rees led the way against the change, going against the recommendation of staff to propose the council keep the current logo, and received applause from the packed public gallery.

Cr Rees said the opinion of people in the city is the new design was not the right logo because the current one is so recognisable in the city.

"I certainly am progressive for Wangaratta going ahead," he said.

"We're not perfect, I'm certainly not, and we're trying to sell ourselves (to tourists from other areas) as well."

He defended the council's decision to have the second design of the logo take place without input from the general public, just selected stakeholders.

RELATED:

Cr Rees was supported 5-2, with only deputy mayor Dave Fuller and Mark Currie voting in favour of the proposed new logo.

Cr Harry Bussell said the new design "looked like the old cormorant had a broken wing, now I would like to leave the old cormorant alone and let it go".

Debate had become very heated since May when the council first proposed a logo change.

"We've landed here tonight with a difficult case of purpose vs achievement," Cr Fuller said.

"People now know us for our ability to take an element of the conversation, to deface it and in doing so, put a negative spin ahead of the positive.

"But also seemingly attack the pride of our community, with a number of people who have vilified in a number of ways on social media."