On 9 December 1947, Emanuel Horace Rosman was appointed Royal Commissioner to inquire into and report upon the following matters:

a) Whether and to what extent (if any) there should be an extension of the existing municipal boundaries of the Municipalities of Bunbury, Busselton, Collie or Northam;

b) The effect of any such extension on the municipalities and road board districts respectively concerned (including their respective finances and future operations) and on the well-being and finances of their respective inhabitants;

c) The wishes and view-points of the municipal councils and road boards concerned;

d) Whether and to what extent the best interests of the State generally and the probable future development of the municipalities and districts concerned support or detract from the desirability of any such extension;

e) Generally the advantages and disadvantages of any such extension and the consequences or probable consequences thereof; and

f) Any other matter incidental to or arising out of any of the foregoing subject matters which the Royal Commissioner, with the approval of the Minister for Local Government, should consider it expedient to inquire into and report upon.

On 23 December 1947, the aforementioned terms of reference were amended so that Kalgoorlie was also considered within the scope of section a).

On further addition to the terms of reference was made on 19 May 1948 so that Albany or Geraldton also be considered within the scope of section a).

The report of the Royal Commission was completed on 2 February 1949.