[3][4][5][6] It was divided into four wards: North, East, West and South, each electing two councillors.
The new building would include a council chamber and corporation offices, a public hall, a reading room and other facilities.
[7][8] The new institute and council chamber was opened by Governor William C. F. Robinson in September 1885.
In June 1932, its boundaries were enlarged alongside widespread local government reform that year, and it gained portions of Moonta Bay, North Moonta, Port Hughes and eleven acres of mineral leases to the east of the town from the District Council of Kadina.
A fifth ward (Moonta Bay) was added at this time, increasing the total number of councillors to ten.