It was proclaimed on 14 July 1853 in the eastern portion of the Hundred of Yatala, and was the original council in the area.

[1][2] It was bordered on the west by the eastern boundary of the District Council of Yatala and on the south by the River Torrens.

The five initial councillors appointed by the Governor were Joseph Ind, of Little Paradise, Robert Milne of Dry Creek, George McEwin from the Glen Ewin Estate, John Gollop from Highercombe (now Paracombe) and Henry Klapper from Hope Valley.

[3][4] By 1858, disputes had arisen about the effectiveness of the original boundaries, in particular between residents of the north and south of the district.

[8] Highercombe had been named in that process as one of 53 councils in the state with an annual revenue of less than £2,000, and so had been considered to be unviable as a separate municipality.