THE fate of an historic water fountain at the entrance of Merriwa Park was sealed at a Rural City of Wangaratta council meeting on Tuesday night.

Despite objections from its founders, the Lions Club of Wangaratta structure will be replaced with the "Tin Kan 2" jazz sculpture currently located at the corner of Ford and Ovens streets.

It was the belief of councillors that the fountain, which used 2500 kilolitres of water a year, was not compliant with council’s sustainable water use plan.

"It has been 45 years since the fountain was put in and back 45 years ago, water wasn’t an issue as it is today," Cr Don Joyce said.

"It was a great project by the Lions club and it provided a great entrance to the city in those times.

"When it was going and lit up it certainly was a wonderful thing to see, but times have changed."