In August 1840, the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners of the British Government decided to allow the purchase of land anywhere in the Port Phillip District of New South Wales – now Victoria, Australia. Special Surveys could be requested to enable the purchase of 5,120 acres (2,070 ha), or eight square miles, for ₤1 per acre. This price was significantly below the value of the land at that time. Eight special surveys were advertised in June 1841: Rutledge did not take up the Port Albert survey. In its place he purchased land near the present Koroit in western Victoria.