The District Council of Stepney was proclaimed on 25 July 1867, separating from the original District Council of Payneham. It was divided into five wards: Hackney, Stepney, Payneham, Marden and Stepney North. On 27 February 1868, the original Payneham council was renamed the
District Council of Campbelltown, and when the western part of the Stepney council was severed to form the
Corporate Town of St Peters on 30 August 1883, the remainder of the Stepney council assumed the District Council of Payneham name. The council rented offices at the Payneham Institute, and met at the Masonic Lodge Hall. ==Chairmen and mayors of Payneham==