Elsewhere in South Australia the Local Board of Main Roads was the precursor to local government, but in the South East it was district drainage boards.

"[1] The original South-East Drainage District was formed in April 1876.

[1] The District Council of Mayurra was established in 1888 by the enactment of the District Councils Act 1887, a statewide legislative push to ensure all settled areas of the state be under local governance.

[1] On 4 June 1914, Millicent annexed the District Council of Mount Muirhead.

The enlarged council area was divided into five wards: Central, Mayurra, Mount Muirhead, Nangula, and Rendlesham.