The City of Rockdale was originally known as the Municipality of West Botany. The Municipality was declared on the 13 January 1871. It covered 4 square miles (10 km2). There were two wards, Arncliffe (with 221 inhabitants of whom 86 could vote) and West Botany (with 543 residents of whom 125 were eligible to vote). On 11 February elections were held to nominate three aldermen from each ward. The first Council meeting was held on 13 February 1871.