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.

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

[2] Over the next five years parts were split off to form new drainage districts.

Six years later in January 1888 the drainage district was declared a council district and expanded to included all of the Hundred of Hindmarsh not already a part of the council area.

[3] The District Councils Act 1887 was a statewide legislative push to ensure all settled areas of the state be under local governance.