Jimbaroo Downs in CQ’s Gemini Mountains district is to be auctioned on November 18. Photo: Colliers Agribusiness

THE auction of a Central Queensland holding is expected to attract wide interest, while an aggregation noear West Wyalong is drawing local and southern attention, and in properties sold, north Qld’s Innisfail Downs has sold to two New South Wales families.

Jimbaroo Downs, Qld

A large-scale cropping property in Central Qld’s tightly held Gemini Mountains district is set to go under the hammer in an online auction next month.

Jimbaroo Downs spans 2796ha, fronts the Peak Downs Highway and is 24km west of the Kilcummin grain terminal.

Colliers Agribusiness senior executive Nicholas Warmington said the property’s access to established grain-receival infrastructure, major transport routes and port facilities offers efficient pathways to market.

“This is an important consideration for prospective purchasers, particularly in a large-scale cropping operation where logistics and transport efficiency can have a material impact on farm margins.”

Around 1788ha, or 63 percent of the property, is arable and supports a continuous summer and winter cropping program producing chickpeas, sorghum, mungbeans, wheat and barley.

The remaining country is suited to grazing.

The mostly level topography allows for efficient paddock configuration, while deep, self-mulching vertosol clay soils provide strong fertility and moisture-holding capacity.

Colliers Agribusiness associate director Dan Quigley said Jimbaroo Downs offers the combination sought by serious farming operators – scale, productivity, infrastructure and strong logistics.

“The marketing campaign is expected to attract interest from established operators, corporate investors and farming families seeking to expand their holdings in one of Central Queensland’s established grain-producing regions,” Mr Quigley said.

“There is also an opportunity for future feed bunk development and silage production, which could further integrate the property’s cropping and grazing capabilities.”

Mr Quigley said this creates potential for northern cattle producers to use Jimbaroo Downs as a strategically located weaner backgrounding asset.

“It has the ability to produce fodder on-farm and use the property’s grazing country to prepare cattle for southern markets or feedlots.”

Water on Jimbaroo is sourced from a 50ML underground irrigation licence and a dam.

The property also includes an established basalt quarry, offering an additional resource opportunity.

Infrastructure includes three residences, a shearing shed, numerous machinery and storage sheds and 807 tonnes of grain storage across seven silos.

Colliers Agribusiness and Queensland Water Consultancy are jointly handling the sale.

Jimbaroo Downs will be offered on a bare basis through an online auction on November 18.

Forest View and Websters, NSW

A large-scale continuous cropping enterprise in the Riverina region of NSW has been listed for sale after 10 years of ownership by the Bell family.

The 2196ha aggregation comprises two nearby holdings – the 1360ha Forest View and the 836ha Websters – around 29km north of West Wyalong.

Both properties have established cropping programs encompassing canola, wheat, barley, vetch, field peas, and lupins.

Ray White Rural agent Oscar Freeman was unable to provide a price guide, but said recent comparable sales in the district have achieved $4200-$5436/ha.

Mr Freeman said the properties benefit from reliable annual rainfall of 460mm and offer diversity in both soil types and cropping programs.

“Forest View is characterised by fertile red loam soils, while Websters provides a combination of self-mulching grey clays through to heavy red loams,” Mr Freeman said.

As well as combining scale, established infrastructure, and a demonstrated soil-improvement program, Mr Freeman said the aggregation also features and convenient access to West Wyalong.

“Forest View and Websters represent a significant farming opportunity for purchasers seeking a sizeable, well-established cropping enterprise in the Riverina.

“There has already been good local and southern interest.”

Farming country north of West Wyalong is for sale with the listing of Forest View and Websters. Photo: Ray White Rural

At Forest View, 520ha has been grid sampled and treated with variable rate lime at an average of 2.1 tonnes per hectare, incorporated to a depth of 180mm.

The property operates on a 12m controlled-traffic system, reflecting an ongoing focus on soil improvement, efficient farm management and long-term productivity.

Forest View’s infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, numerous sheds, a three-stand shearing shed, steel sheep yards, and seven self-emptying silos.

Websters complements Forest View with productive cropping country extending from self-mulching grey clays to heavy red loams.

Its improvements include a grain shed and a water tank used for spraying operations.

Expressions of interest for Forest View and Websters close November 12.

Innisfail Downs, Qld

Two farming families from north-west NSW have joined forces to acquire Innisfail Downs in north-west Queensland.

LAWD negotiated the off-market sale, describing the outcome as exceptional for the Julia Creek district.

Although the purchase price has not been disclosed, it is understood the property sold for around $14 million on a bare basis.

The transaction also included a five-year lease over the adjoining Bodell property, which is owned by the Innisfail Downs vendors.

Located 14km east of Julia Creek, the Baker family’s 9415ha Innisfail Downs will allow the new owners to expand into northern Qld and diversify through a mix of cropping and grazing.

The cattle backgrounding property has an estimated carrying capacity of 1000 breeders and further potential for dryland cropping development.

Innisfail Downs has been bought by two families from NSW who own the neighbouring Bodell in Qld’s Julia Creek district. Photo: LAWD

LAWD director George Barton said the sale reflected strong demand for well-positioned northern grazing assets with development potential.

“Innisfail Downs combines productive soils, reliable water infrastructure and the potential for further development into a mixed farming operation, incorporating both cropping and grazing.”

“The result also highlights the value that can be created through a targeted off-market process, supported by strong market knowledge and established industry relationships.”

The property comprises well-developed grazing country with Mitchell and Flinders grass pastures, supported by secure artesian water infrastructure.

LAWD director Simon Cudmore said combining the Innisfail Downs purchase with the five-year lease of Bodell will give the incoming operator access to a substantial, highly productive agricultural holding.

“The outcome reinforces the depth of demand for quality grazing country, particularly where scale, water security and future development potential are combined.”

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