Launceston was proclaimed a municipality by an Act of Parliament on 30 October 1852, 47 years after it was founded. The boundaries extended less than two kilometres from the centre of the town. Seven aldermen were elected to the Launceston Town Council on 1 January 1853, at the first Local Government elections held in Van Diemen's Land. Aldermen elected the first Mayor, Alderman William Stammers Button, later that day at the first meeting of the Town Council.

 

The Launceston City Council area has grown to about 1,405 square kilometres. The number of aldermen has changed during intervening years, from seven to nine to twelve.

 

Launceston is the largest council in Tasmania in terms of population and revenue.