South Barwon was created a District on 2 June 1857. It was created a Borough on 21 October 1863. It was proclaimed a Shire on 24 December 1874. It was proclaimed a City on 6 December 1974. It was re-subdivided on 19 May 1978 when Highton, Belmont and Grovedale Wards were constituted. Connewarre Ward remained unaltered. Local Government Reform 1993-1995 South Barwon City was amalgamated with the City of Greater Geelong by the City of Greater Geelong Act on 18 May 1993. This occurred as part of a statewide program of local government reform enacted between 1993 and 1995. The reform process reduced the number of councils from 210 to 78.