The Municipality of Deniliquin was constituted on December 19, 1868, with the first Municipal Election held on February 24, 1869.
In his book Saltbush Country John E. P. Bushby, addressing the formation of the municipality, wrote:.
The first move to elevate the township of Deniliquin to a Municipality was made in 1864. Prior to this date most of the town improvements were financed by public subscription organised by a few public-spirited men.
Dr. D.G. Jones. who came to Deniliquin in 1854, was best known as owner and editor of the Pastoral Times, which he launched in 1859.
D.G Jones began agitation to turn Deniliquin into a municipality in the Pastoral Times of 24 June 1864.
For some reason or other, which has never been explained, obstacles had been placed in the way of creating a municipality but Jones succeeded in holding a well-attended meeting in March, 1865 where a resolution to take the necessary steps passed.
In May that year a petition appeared in the Government Gazette ‘‘praying that a municipality should be established at Deniliquin’’. But there were more difficulties ahead, and it was not until four years later that the first election was held.
The proceedings of the election taken from the original minutes are as follows,
Mr Thomas Robertson Returning Officer in the chair moved by Mr. alderman Graves and seconded by Mr. alderman Taylor that Mr. James Watson be elected mayor for this municipality. The motion was unanimously carried and the Returning Officer declared Mr. James Watson duly elected for the evening meal.
The group consisted of Mayor - James Watson, Councillors - Warden Harry Graves, William McKenzie, John Taylor, Henry Mathewson and Lawrence Robertson, Council Clerk - John Warring, Valuer - John McCulloch L. S. and Solicitor - Thomas Robertson.
The Council met again at 4pm, February 27th at the Masonic Hall for their first meeting as a fully functioning council.
The minutes of the last meeting were read, and on the motion of Mr. alderman Robertson, recorded by Mr. alderman Taylor were confirmed. Moved by Mr. alderman Robertson and recorded by Mr. alderman Graves that a committee he formed of the whole council - three to form a quorum - for the purpose of making Draft of By-Law containing Regulations for conducting the proceedings and business of this Council to be called the standing Order of Deniliquin municipality.
The Deniliquin Council was disbanded when the NSW Government’s merger process occurred on May 12, 2016, with the current local council, Edward River Council, being only three years old.
ERC General Manager Adam McSwain said Edward River Council is one of the youngest local governments in New South Wales.
“The former Conargo Shire and Deniliquin councils, as well as the former Windouran Shire, all have their own rich histories and I encourage anyone interested in learning more about the story of local government in our region to visit the Deniliquin and District Historical Society Museum, Pretty Pine Hall and Wanganella Hall, all of which exhibit papers, pictures and memorabilia of the former councils.”
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