With closer settlement a village developed and was officially named Gravesend in 1909.

The big pastoral runs that had existed before the rushes were broken up for closer settlement.

Towards the end of the 1800s large properties and Government leases began to be divided up for closer settlement.

In 1871, the station was resumed and broken up for closer settlement.

Several decades then passed before closer settlement began.

Runs were broken up for closer settlement in 1894 and later but the valley remained thinly populated.

A 'Hundred' was declared in 1860, opening the area to closer rural settlement.

Wondai was first settled in the 1850s and closer settlement took place in the early 1900s.

The government also purchased 1.3 million acres from large estate holders for subdivision and closer settlement by small farmers.

The station was broken up for closer settlement in 1869.