Birdwood, north-west of Deniliquin, has been sold by Melbourne IT Daniel Wallis, to form part of Meldora Land Management’s Pretty Pine Aggregation. Photo: Elders

A DIVERSIFIED agricultural and carbon platform managed by Gunn Agri Partners has expanded its asset base, securing a major footprint in southern New South Wales’ Riverina region for around $30 million.

Operating under Meldora Land Management, the platform has acquired eight properties north of Deniliquin to form the 4837ha Pretty Pine Aggregation.

The acquisition marks the second major transaction for the $250M fund, which was launched in 2025 with backing from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Canadian pension fund La Caisse.

The fund, which counts Rio Tinto as a foundation off-taker, aims to integrate institutional agriculture with the generation of Australian Carbon Credit Units.

The Riverina investment follows Meldora’s initial purchase of the Arcturus Downs Aggregation in Queensland’s Central Highlands in September last year.

The newly formed Pretty Pine Aggregation will support a mix of irrigated and dryland cropping, livestock production and dedicated environmental plantings.

The portfolio will be managed across two hubs – Birdwood and the Sutton Aggregation.

Matt Horne of Elders Riverina Real Estate negotiated the transactions but was unable to confirm details of the buyer or final pricing.

Birdwood

The first operational hub comprises the 1508ha Birdwood and the adjoining 645ha Birdwood 2.

Located 12km north-west of Deniliquin, Birdwood is a highly developed turnkey irrigation holding.

The sale ends two decades of ownership by Melbourne IT entrepreneur Daniel Wallis, who invested heavily in water efficiency, automation and soil health.

Last year, the property produced wheat, canola, barley and vetch across more than 1000ha, while the remaining country supports 1300 agistment ewes.

Birdwood features 800ha of spray irrigation, including a 355ha lateral move and six centre pivots covering 445ha, alongside 136ha of laser-levelled border-check layout.

Water assets include 625ML of Murray Irrigation entitlements, 1579 MIL delivery entitlements, a deep irrigation bore and a share in the Lower Murray Groundwater aquifer.

This is supported by three dams with a combined capacity exceeding 450ML, alongside extensive frontage to Box Creek.

Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, multiple sheds, a shearing shed, livestock yards and 12 silos.

Birdwood 2 features 362ha under irrigation. Photo: Elders

The adjoining Birdwood 2 adds 645ha and is located 30km north-west of Deniliquin.

It features 362ha of irrigation development and 195ha of dryland cropping, with the balance consisting of support land and native vegetation.

The block is backed by 612 MIL delivery entitlements and includes cattle yards.

Sutton Aggregation

The second hub is anchored by the 2070ha Sutton Aggregation and the neighbouring 614ha Kalawar.

Purchased from Mike Gatacre, the Sutton Aggregation is located 37km north-west of Deniliquin and comprises five contiguous holdings: Gunnadoo, Yarramie, Noonameena, Bridgenorth, and Colanne.

The turnkey asset is suited to cropping and livestock operations.

Sutton is located north-west of Deniliquin and is set up for sheep and cropping. Photo: Elders

Its 1821 arable hectares feature mostly heavy self-mulching soils, with 121ha of sandy loam suited to lucerne.

The property has 4km of dual frontage to Box Creek and has 600ha of developed irrigation layout supported by recycle systems.

The holding was sold with 3357 MIL delivery entitlements.

Infrastructure includes three main residences, a cottage, a four-stand shearing shed, livestock yards and 120t of seed silo capacity.

Completing the aggregation is Kalawar, a 614ha mixed farm near Morago, a block marketed earlier this year with an initial price guide of $2.9-$3.1M.

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