It was proclaimed on 2 March 1876 as the District Council of George Town, encompassing the cadastral Hundred of Bundaleer.
[4] By 1936, the council controlled an area of 260 square miles, including what the Civic Record described as "some of the finest cereal-growing areas in South Australia".
It had also undertaken beautification schemes in Georgetown and Yacka, including plantations of gum trees.
The council was also involved in providing new community halls at Georgetown and Gulnare, as well as a range of recreation facilities at Georgetown, Gulnare and Yacka.
[2] Long-serving state MP John Lyons was the council chairman for 25 years.