The council was proclaimed on 13 September 1877 representing the Hundred of Hallett, establishing a council of eight members divided into four wards (Willogoleech, Cartarpo, Ulooloo and Banbury).[1] The first meeting was held at Mann's Hotel at Hallett on 24 September.[2] It was expanded by the District Councils Act 1887 to include the Hundred of Tomkinson and portions of the Hundred of Hallett excluded in the initial proclamation.[3]
The council voted in 1928 to establish a replacement council chamber in the new Hallett Institute building at a cost of £500.[4]
It absorbed the neighbouring District Council of Terowie on 1 May 1935. On 21 May 1935, it gained a portion of the Anne and Ayers wards of the abolished District Council of Booborowie, which formed the new Willalo Ward; it also added the Cappeedee Ward at this time.[5][6] The changes resulted in a seven-ward system from 1935, with one councillor from each of the Banbury, Cappeedee, Hallett, Terowie, Terowie Township, Whyte and Willalo Wards.[7]
In 1936, it was reported to cover an area of 300 square miles, with 484 residents, 150 of them ratepayers.[8]
^"Alteration of Boundaries". The Chronicle. Vol. LXXVII, no. 40, 182. South Australia. 7 February 1935. p. 47. Retrieved 5 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Advertising". Burra Record. Vol. 56, no. 22. South Australia. 29 May 1935. p. 2. Retrieved 5 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.