Public meetings in December 2006 announced that the new council would be known as the Shire of Northam, and would come into existence on 1 July 2007, initially operated by a board of commissioners (two from each entity plus an independent chair).
In December 2006, public forums announced that the new council would be named the Shire of Northam and would begin on July 1, 2007. It would initially operate under a board of commissioners comprising two representatives from each entity along with an independent chair.