THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of interesting recent listings across the country.

• World class coastal floodplain property lists
• $55m+ for Eastern Riverina holding
• Neighbouring New England properties span 4000ha
• $25m-$30m for Roma livestock supply chain
• Bell’s McClelland family to sell after 149 years
• Water security in southern Queensland
• Littles list exclusion fenced Moonby in NQ
• Scale & location in NSW’s Upper Hunter
• Elders lists original Australian Hotel and Cobb and Co staging station
• Young district offers significant livestock operation + heritage homestead

Floodplain on Woolner Station east of Darwin

World class coastal floodplain property lists

More than $50 million is anticipated for a blue-ribbon backgrounding enterprise close to Darwin, boasting 18km of pristine coastal frontage.

Woolner Station, owned by well-known Territorian and businessman David Walker, is described as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ spanning 64,700ha.

It is situated in a 1700mm annual rainfall region, 150km east of Darwin in the Top End’s Mary River region of the Northern Territory.

Andrew Gray Land & Livestock principal Andrew Gray said Woolner was an exceptional asset with significant upside opportunity and varied income streams.

Featuring 48,000ha of fertile black soils, Woolner benefits from annual flooding providing excellent growing conditions for a variety of tropical pastures capable of carrying large numbers of cattle.

Over the past 15 years, from April to December, Woolner has been backgrounding up to 15,000 head for third party clients, including northern breeder enterprises.

Seventy five percent of the country comprises low-lying to level coastal and alluvial floodplains rising to gently undulating red country (25pc) which could provide year-round grazing options if developed.

Woolner is also has spectacular natural features and extensive flora and fauna species.

Located on one of the major floodplains in the Mary River system, the property is serviced by ten bores, as well as permanent and seasonal waterholes and associated creek systems.

Woolner is offered bare of livestock, plant and equipment with expressions of interest closing on November 14.

$55m+ for Eastern Riverina holding

More than $55 million is anticipated for Yambla Station, a large-scale holding of well-balanced grazing and farming country in the highly regarded and reliable Eastern Riverina region of New South Wales.

The 2654ha property is situated near Holbrook, 54km north-east of Albury/Wodonga and 100km south of Wagga Wagga.

The property offers a livestock breeding platform suitable for wool, prime lambs and beef production with a conservative carrying capacity of 30,000 to 32,000DSE, with further upside.

Around 400ha is currently cropped and 690ha is sown down to permanent pastures.

It is primarily operated as a wool and prime lamb factory running 9500 composite ewes with a focus on leading carcass traits and cutting-edge maternal traits.

In addition, 150 breeders and 250 backgrounders are carried on-farm to bolster cash-flow.

After 36 years ownership, Yambla is being offered by the Satchell family who have focused on increased productivity via water development, fencing and pasture improvement, along with significant fertiliser application.

Inglis Rural Property CEO Sam Triggs described the asset as a versatile and dynamic holding.

“Yambla represents significant scale in a reliable climate. It’s an excellent defensive asset due to its high rainfall and proximity to Albury and Melbourne.”

Mr Triggs said the holding possessed an ideal balance of operational infrastructure allowing ease of management.

There are two residences including an architecturally-designed five-bedroom home overlooking the picturesque Holbrook Valley.

Working improvements include a five-stand shearing shed, numerous sheds, and 420-tonnes of silo storage.

Yambla has multiple natural water resources including a network of 51 dams which are mostly spring fed.

It also benefits from extensive double frontage to the permanent Daly, Yambla and Table Top Creeks which traverse through the property.

Yambla Station is being offered for sale via expressions of interest closing on November 16.

Neighbouring New England properties span 4000ha

Nearly 4000ha of breeding and backgrounding country in the New England region of New South Wales is being offered to market by different branches of the Cameron family.

The historic 2390ha Fassifern and the adjoining 1573ha Inverinate have been listed for separate sale by MacDougall Rural Property agent Graham MacDougall via expressions of interest.

Both properties are situated in the Chandler River Valley on the eastern fall, north of Wollomombi and 50km east of Armidale.

Fassifern

Held by six generations of the Cameron family, Fassifern was originally purchased by Donald Cameron in 1869 and has been producing wool ever since.

Today, the property spans 2390ha with open to sheltered valleys with fine granite soils and improved pastures running 7.4DSE per hectare.

The vendors have been breeding the current Merino bloodlines since the 1980s and producing 18-micron wool, as well as running a Hereford and Angus cross cattle operation.

The Camerons introduced rotational grazing in 2008 and, according to the vendor, this practice has increased groundcover and pasture quality.

Located near the headwaters of the Macleay River, Fassifern is abundantly watered.

There are 7.8km of Chandler River frontage (mostly double frontage), 4km of Maiden Creek frontage (1.8km double frontage) and 8km of Wollomombi River frontage.

Water is also supplied by Bindleys Creek, six spring-fed dams and four spring-fed gullies and creeks.

Infrastructure includes two homes, three cattle yards, three sheep yards, a four-stand shearing shed, numerous sheds, a shearer’s quarters and two silos with 50 tonnes of grain capacity.

Inverinate

The 1537ha property, once forming part of the neighbouring Fassifern, has been holistically owned and managed by Angus and Sue Cameron since 1986.

Until recently, Inverinate has operated a self-replacing Merino flock, an Angus and Angus cross breeding herd, as well as opportunistic trading.

Valley floors and country east of the Chandler River rise to sheltered fine granite high country in the east and a basalt ridge in the west that can conservatively run 500 cows and 6000 sheep.

Like the adjoining Fassifern, Inverinate has abundant natural water.

There are 5.5km of double frontage and 600m of single frontage to the Chandler River, supported by water from the Maiden Creek and spring-fed and catchment dams.

The infrastructure includes a three-bedroom home, two cattle yards, sheep yards, a four-stand shearing shed and numerous sheds.

Fassifern and Inverinate are being offered for separate sale by expressions of interest closing on November 16.

$25m-$30m for Roma livestock supply chain

Between $25 million and $30 million is anticipated for Ben Cameron’s livestock supply chain at Roma, in southern Queensland’s Maranoa region.

Located near Mount Abundance, 40km south-west of Roma, the 2445ha Roma Feedlot and Spelling Yards have been owned and operated by the Brisbane-based Mr Cameron since 2019.

The 4000-head feedlot and 2000-head spelling businesses operate on two contiguous holdings – Dunan and Oaklea.

Both offer quality infrastructure for a high standard of efficiency and productivity, with scope for expansion.

There are 1500 arable hectares and improved pastures watered by groundwater allocations and associated bores, with all crops used in the feedlot.

JLL Agribusiness directors Geoff Warriner, Chris Holgar and Clayton Smith expect the asset’s location will drive strong demand.

“Developed in 2017, the near-new facility is 50km from the region’s major livestock selling centre, the Roma saleyards.”

They said it is one of the first National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme accredited feedlots to hit the open market in recent years.

“The Roma feedlot and spelling yards are likely to generate strong competition from existing operators with western holdings seeking further diversity,” Mr Warriner said.

With road-train access from the west, the agents claim the feedlot also offers a drought mitigation strategy for northern and western cattle producer.

“Alternatively, it could be run as a viable standalone business within the Queensland beef supply chain or as an introductory concern for a new operator.”

The going concern cattle business has existing beef supply contracts with Woolworths and is a supplier to all the meat processors to the east.

The Roma Feedlot and Spelling Yards are being offered for sale by expressions of interest in one line or as separate assets closing on November 9.

Located near Mount Abundance, 40km south-west of Roma, the 2445ha Roma Feedlot and Spelling Yards include a 4000-head feedlot and 2000-head spelling businesses

Bell’s McClelland family to sell after 149 years

After 149 years of family ownership, Brenden and Madelene McClelland have decided to pursue a new direction and list southern Queensland’s Belmont Aggregation.

The 1519ha holding comprises three properties – Belmont, Kurrabah and Cedar View – situated near Bell, 50km from Dalby and 65km from Kingaroy.

The mostly coolibah basalt grazing country is generally destocked and carrying a large body of feed including blue, buffel and kangaroo grasses.

Elders agent Trevor Leishman has already fielded good inquiry from corporates and large family operators for both cattle and grain.

Mr Leishman said the aggregation offers numerous cash flow possibilities.

“Belmont and Kurrabah have been developed to 38 cell grazing paddocks ranging in size from 12ha to 30ha, allowing the incoming purchaser to take potential advantage of carbon credits.”

Mr Leishman said an isolated building currently used as an AI facility would make an excellent feedlot site subject to council approval.

“The AI complex is elevated and private with good set back from neighbouring homes. It also has road frontage, power and water connected.”

Around 390ha of soft fertile dark brown to black soils can be cultivated. At present, around 250ha is fallow with 200ha set aside for summer crops (including grain sorghum, millet and mung beans) and the remaining 46ha for winter cropping.

The Belmont Aggregation is watered by a 40ML intensive livestock licence, three bores, a spring, a permanent waterhole and a dam.

Infrastructure includes four homes, two cattle yards, numerous sheds, a piggery complex with a 3714 SPU piggery licence and 769 tonnes of grain storage.

Expressions of interest for the Belmont Aggregation close on November 16.

Water security in southern Queensland

Livestock producers seeking water security are showing good interest in a North Burnett (Qld) block suitable for backgrounding or lucerne hay production.

Held by the Sporne family for six years, the 409ha Hidden Valley is 10km from Mundubbera and 30km from Eidsvold.

Danielle Meyer from Danielle Meyer Rural said Hidden Valley offers diversity.

“As a backgrounding operation, it can run upwards of 500 head but conversely, all of the country can be irrigated.”

“The property is currently planted with 173ha of irrigated leucaena and 10ha of lucerne, with an additional 73ha to a multi-species lucerne-based cattle feed,” she said.

Hidden Valley has an abundance of water including a 100ML Burnett River water allocation, two dams, a turkey nest and five bores including one with a 90ha licence.

Improvements include two homes, steel cattle yards, sheds and good quality fencing.

Hidden Valley is being offered for sale by expressions of interest closing on November 17.

409ha Hidden Valley is 10km from Mundubbera and 30km from Eidsvold.

Littles list exclusion-fenced Moonby in NQ

Bob and Margie Little have listed Moonby Station in north-west Queensland after more than 80 years of family ownership.

The 10,312ha property is exclusion fenced and situated 37km south-west of Hughenden.

Set up for sheep and cattle, the Littles have been conservatively running sheep (1200 adult equivalents) and agisting cattle.

After a good season, Moonby is boasting abundant Mitchell and Flinders grass with some buffel and herbages.

John Wharton from Wharton & Co said good interest was coming from cattle producers around Clermont, Bundaberg, Cloncurry and north of Charters Towers seeking finishing and backgrounding country.

Noted for its heavy carrying capacity, the undulating tight gidgee pebble country has soft self-cracking soils in a 457mm average annual rainfall region.

Located on the Flinders River watershed, Moonby is watered by the Wariana and Little Wariana Creeks, supported by other channels and three bores (two equipped).

Infrastructure includes a three-bedroom home, a self-contained cottage, three sheds, a five-stand shearing shed, shearers quarters, sheep yards and portable panel cattle yards.

Expressions of interest for Moonby Station close on November 23.

Moonby Station in north-west Queensland after more than 80 years of family ownership.

Scale & location in NSW’s Upper Hunter

A 3310ha low input grazing property in the Upper Hunter Valley region of New South Wales is attracting good enquiry due to its scale and central location.

The 2209ha Summer Hill and 1104ha Rosedale, 32km from Cassilis and 70km from Mudgee, have been aggregated over the past 24 years by the Richardson family.

Elders agent Chris Malone and Ray White Rural agent Hamish Firth said interest was coming from corporates, Sydney family investors and producers seeking scale, a central location and water security.

The estimated carrying capacity is 800 to 1000 breeders, with the current operation running 800 trade cattle. In good seasons, the property has run up to 1700 trade cattle.

The country on Summer Hill and Rosedale ranges from gently undulating grazing to more open areas, with a potential farming upside of around 1000ha previously sown to wheat and oats.

The soils range from heavy basalt to lighter basalt and some lighter sandy loams growing native pastures, rye and clover.

Situated in a 620mm average annual rainfall area, the aggregation is well watered by 13.6km of Munmurra River frontage as well as 34 dams.

Summer Hill has a six-bedroom home, steel and timber cattle yards, a five-stand shearing shed and yards, numerous sheds and five silos.

Rosedale has a three-bedroom home, three sheds, steel cattle yards and six silos.

The aggregation will be auctioned on November 3.

Elders lists original Australian Hotel and Cobb and Co staging station

A mixed farm once home to the original Australian Hotel and Cobb and Co staging station in southern New South Wales is being offered to the market after being extensively developed.

The 1089ha North Billabong is situated 32km north-east of Holbrook and 63km south-east of Wagga Wagga.

It is suited to a range of agricultural endeavours including wool, prime lamb, cattle and/or cropping.

Local family Meurer Pastoral Co is consolidating its assets and while it hasn’t owned the property for long, Elders agent Nick Myer said it has completely transformed North Billabong.

“During their tenure, significant investment has been made into pasture improvement, soil fertility and a quality standard of fencing incorporating a centralised laneway system for ease of stock movement.”

The country features heavy carrying alluvial Little Billabong Creek flats to gently undulating land estimated to conservatively run 15,000DSE.

Located in a 700mm average annual rainfall region, abundant natural water is supplied by 3.5km of dual frontage to the Little Billabong Creek, multiple dams, a solar bore and numerous wells.

In addition, a 140ML irrigation licence is available from the Little Billabong Creek.

Infrastructure includes a recently renovated circa 1856 homestead, sheep yards (4000 head capacity), steel cattle yards, two machinery sheds, a hay shed, a workshop and 200 tonnes of grain storage.

Expressions of interest for North Billabong close on November 10.

Young district holding offers significant livestock operation + heritage homestead

A rare opportunity to secure a productive livestock operation with historic homestead near Young in southern NSW has emerged.

Comprising 531ha, Spring Park is a proven sheep and cattle enterprise, historically running a self-replacing Merino production system comprising 1620 Merino ewes joined to Merino rams, as well as 500 Merino ewes joined to Poll Dorset rams and 1500 Merino weaners. Previously the property also ran 80 winter/spring calving cows.

Spring Park features 25ha of undersown grazing wheat and 35ha of barley and improved pastures, presenting a healthy body of quality feed, and is located 21km north of Young, 55km from Cowra, and 350km from Sydney. The holding is being offered to the market by LAWD.

LAWD senior director Col Medway said Spring Park offered a heritage-rich homestead and significant livestock operation, benefitted by the current owner’s investment in operational enhancements.

Improvements include the new four-stand shearing shed, machinery shed, steel sheep yards, cattle yards, and an additional weather storage shed plus multiple grain silos.

“The property also features superior accommodation, including the historic Spring Park stone homestead, built in 1888, comprising six bedrooms, two bathrooms, a three-bedroom guest wing, and multiple formal and informal living and dining rooms,” Mr Medway said.

Surrounding the homestead is an established garden and wide timber floorboard veranda, providing multiple outdoor entertaining options and panoramic views.

Vendors Richard and Elizabeth Westmacott have enjoyed ownership of Spring Park and emphasised the quality of the property and its dwelling, with Mr Westmacott saying they have conducted a great deal of work on the property.

“We have undertaken soil conservation work, planted hundreds of trees, and built the property up to the highly productive operation it is today, which is suitable for both cropping and grazing,” he said.

Established in 1872, Spring Park is made up of a combination of well-draining soils, predominantly red-brown earths, and granite tor outcrops, suited to lucerne and clover pastures as well as a rotational cropping operation.

Mr Medway said the high-performing enterprise was underpinned by excellent water security.

“Spring Park is securely watered from a number of sources, including a town water connection to the homestead, garden, spray water tanks, and livestock troughs,” he said.

Surface water is provided through 17 dams and natural springs, while groundwater is also accessible via an unequipped bore.

Spring Park is being offered for sale by Expression of Interest closing 23 November.

Comprising 531ha, Spring Park is a proven sheep and cattle enterprise