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 meetings revealed that the new council would be named the Shire of Northam and would start on July 1, 2007. It would initially be managed by a board of commissioners (two from each entity plus an independent chair).