THIS week’s properties for sale feature an historic New South Wales cropping aggregation made famous by a royal visit and two irrigation and grazing opportunities at opposite ends of the country.
Terlings and Dundenoon
More than $35m is expected for two historic properties in the acclaimed Golden Triangle region of north-western New South Wales that have listed for the first time in 120 years.
The adjoining 1879ha Terlings and 1395ha Dundenoon are located 48km from Moree and were held by well-known industry veteran Sinclair Hill before his daughter Carina and husband Ed Shannon took ownership in 2019.
Mr Hill is credited with teaching King Charles III to play polo.
In 1981, Mr Hill hosted the then Prince of Wales at Terlings over the Easter long weekend.
During the family’s tenure, the enterprise has transitioned from fine wool to a bullock backgrounding operation and more recently to grain, cereal and legume production.
More than 70 percent of the aggregation is arable and accommodates a winter and summer-cropping rotation comprising barley, wheat, canola, chickpeas, and sorghum.
Soil types are a complementary mix of black, brown and red self-mulching clay.
Mr Shannon said the quality of the soil speaks for itself.
“After converting from livestock, the first wheat crop yielded six tonnes per hectare in a year that was particularly challenging for a number of reasons, including a very high rainfall,” Mr Shannon said.
“The country has a slight undulation throughout, allowing for flooding rains to drain very quickly, which we see as something of a defining feature of these blocks.”
Historically, the vendors have run 150 cows across both parcels.
Water is sourced from double frontage to the Nee Nee Creek, numerous dams and an artesian bore.
Key infrastructure includes 550 tonnes of elevated grain storage, a 1200t grain bunker, multiple machinery and hay sheds, and an airstrip.
The decision to sell the historic holdings has been made following a number of unsolicited offers from both national and international parties.
LAWD director Tim Corcoran said the sale process will allow buyers to purchase the aggregation as a whole or individual assets.
“Given the scale of the opportunity and its renowned location, strong interest is anticipated from both institutional investors and expanding local farming enterprises.”
Terlings features a large seven-bedroom Federation style homestead, while Dundenoon has a four-bedroom Queenslander.
Mr Shannon said the 3274ha institutional-grade cropping and grazing enterprise also offers potential ecological offsets.
“With a growing demand for carbon and biodiversity offsets, the abundance of wildlife and biodiversity on these properties opens up the potential for significant further value for any future owner.”
The sale of Terlings and Dundenoon will also allow interested buyers to carve off the 900ha ecological area.
Expressions of interest for Terlings and Dundenoon close July 13.
Nita Downs and La Grange
A large-scale irrigation and grazing opportunity is being offered in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
Located 115km south of Broome and 330km north of Port Hedland, the adjoining La Grange Farm and Nita Downs Station are in a blue tongue disease-free zone, close to key logistic depots and ports.
It is situated in one of the key economic development regions of the Kimberley identified by the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development for its groundwater and land assets.
The country is flat to gently undulating and features mostly Pindan red sands and loam (Kandosols) soils.
La Grange Farm: 2627ha with 250ha approved for irrigation development underpinned by a 6000ML groundwater licence, with significant area identified for further expansion.
Nita Downs Station: 207,607ha with 76ha have been developed to centre-pivot irrigation underpinned by a 4000ML groundwater licence. Comprehensive structural improvements and operational infrastructure supporting livestock and fodder production operations.
Together, the 210,234ha is used for breeding and backgrounding 6642 adult equivalents and fodder production.
A diversification permit allows for fodder production and horticulture, and environmental approvals have been secured for 250ha of irrigation development using five 50ha centre-pivot irrigators with a surrounding buffer zone.
LAWD agent Simon Wilkinson said the aggregation would suit a significant fodder-irrigation project.
“Clearing more land would transform the portfolio into a tremendous cropping opportunity growing cotton and sorghum, with the high-quality soils and climate also making it suitable for horticulture,” Mr Wilkinson said
The portfolio receives a reliable average annual rainfall of 520mm, and is watered by multiple bores reticulated to tanks and troughs.
Nita Downs Station and La Grange Farm have carbon potential and are being offered for sale in one line or as separate assets by a two stage expressions of interest process closing July 6.
St Patricks Run
A range of investor profiles is showing good interest in a productive and versatile irrigation asset in northern Tasmania – anticipated to make around $10m.
The 1501ha St Patricks Run incorporates the 563ha Bullocks Hunting Ground which was listed for sale late last year, and is situated at Nunamara, 17km east of Launceston and 28km north-east of Evandale.
Situated in a reliable 1043mm average annual rainfall area, the block has been carved off the Dunedin aggregation owned by Samantha Hogg and Marcus Griffin.
Underpinned by highly fertile volcanic red and black basalt soils, the property is suited to cropping, livestock, horticulture and potential carbon opportunities.
St Patricks Run has 2000ML of irrigation entitlements, a 2100ML storage dam and excellent irrigation infrastructure including 250ha under centre pivots, with significant scope for further development.
The property also enjoys an 8.8km frontage to the St Patricks River and a 2.6km frontage to the North Esk River.
The Bullocks Hunting Ground block is managed under a cell grazing system running 11,300 dry sheep equivalents; with further development, numbers could be lifted to 14,400 DSE.
Working improvements include a shearing shed and sheep and cattle yards.
St Patricks Run is being offered for sale via an expression of interest process closing on June 16.
Elders Real Estate agents Nick Myer, Henry Mackinnon and Laurens De Wit are reporting interest from local, mainland and institutional investors.
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