GV, Burdekin and Gwydir holdings list

Castle Creek in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley includes a silo complex. Photo: CBRE

AMONG this week’s property listings are the Goulburn Valley holding Castle Creek, Basalt in North Queensland’s Upper Burdekin, and Kiaora at Gravesend in the Gwydir Valley.

Castle Creek, Vic

Locals through to corporates are showing interest in a blue-ribbon winter cropping, prime lamb and fine wool enterprise in Central Victoria’s highly sought-after Goulburn Valley.

The 1456ha Castle Creek is 14km from Euroa and less than two hours from Melbourne, in a region renowned for its ideal climate, above average rainfall and diverse soil types.

The mixed farming operation comprises four holdings aggregated over 30 years by the Gross family: 478ha Castle Creek North; 327ha Castle Creek South; 395ha Woods and 256ha Skinners.

Around 94 percent of the flat to gently sloping country is considered arable with fertile loam and clay soils.

The 452ha cropping area features a balance of introduced pastures and high-yielding winter crops including wheat, canola, barley and oats.

The grazing area has a carrying capacity of 10,000DSE with the current vendors running 4578 mixed sheep.

Castle Creek has a strong fertiliser history with soil testing, fertiliser, gypsum and lime applications undertaken on a regular basis to maximise productivity and retain optimum levels of meat and wool production.

Shane McIntyre from CBRE Agribusiness would not disclose a price guide, but it is understood the land and fixed improvements could achieve around $16,000/ha.

“Castle Creek is a turnkey operation that has been thoughtfully developed by the Gross family, including well-maintained fencing and state-of-the-art working facilities.”

Castle Creek is watered by three dams supported by 547,100 litres of water stored in multiple tanks.

It is being offered for sale as a whole or as four separate parcels via a two-stage expressions of interest campaign closing on July 5.

Kiaora is located 70km east of Moree. Photo: Moree Real Estate

Kiaora, NSW

A fodder-crop powerhouse on the Gwydir River in north-west New South Wales has been listed for sale by Dan and Lucy Coulton for between $6m and $7m.

The 825ha Kiaora is situated 14km north of Gravesend, 32km west Warialda and 70km east of Moree.

Around 75pc of the property is arable and comprises 270ha of highly productive river flats and 380ha of rich self-mulching black and chocolate soils suitable for summer and winter grain crops.

Over the past five years, the farming country has received 40 cubic metres of feedlot manure per hectare, with the second round currently under way.

Kiaora boasts 8km of Gwydir River frontage and is watered by a bore, 180,000 litres of water storage, an extensive trough system, as well as 13 dams.

The balance is productive fattening country capable of turning over 1300 trade cattle a year.

During their seven-year ownership, the Coultons have developed the property and installed new fencing.

A licence is pending for a 999-head feedlot that includes six feed pens, four holding pens and six supplementary paddocks with troughs.

Improvements include a four-bedroom home, a grain shed, a shearing shed and silos.

Paul Kelly from Moree Real Estate is handling the sale of Kiaora which includes 225ha of forage oats, 168ha of barley and 35ha of improved pastures.

Basalt, NQ

One of the few irrigation farms in North Queensland’s Upper Burdekin is being offered for sale by Slaney & Co.

The 566ha Basalt is 25km from Charters Towers (close to the Lynd Highway) and 150km north-east of Townsville.

Situated in a 651mm average annual rainfall region, it features a mix of fertile black and red basalt and alluvial Burdekin River frontage soils, well drained farming land and significant irrigation water.

Basalt has a history of growing lucerne, sorghum, corn, navy beans, Leucaena, watermelons, rockmelons and pumpkins, however it is currently farming Rhodes Grass hay.

Basalt in Qld’s Upper Burdekin includes irrigation. Photo: Slaney & Co

Around 90ha is under two centre pivots serviced by a 200mm  underground PVC mains pipe. Around 68ha of adjoining country offers potential irrigation.

Basalt has 5km of Burdekin River frontage and a 2400ML water entitlement.

Construction of the proposed Big Rocks Weir will mean additional, reliable water supply.

Around 406ha of grazing land runs 100 mixed cattle, with 40 mixed weaners (200 to 300kg) included in the sale.

Infrastructure includes a two-bedroom home, machinery and hay sheds and steel cattle yards.
Selling agent Henry Slaney believes Basalt will suit a range of buyers including farmers, cattle producers, professionals, business operators and retirees.

Basalt will be auctioned on July 11.