Beasley family to sell giant Sunraysia agribusiness operation
One of Australia’s largest integrated agribusiness operations has been listed for sale by the family of successful race car driver Col Beasley, who died in late 2014, just six weeks after being told his cancer was serious.
The 2971-hectare property Thurla Farms, is in Red Cliffs, 25 kilometres south of Mildura in the Sunraysia region.
The farm portion produces, amongst other things, red and white wine grapes, avocados, almonds, lucerne, hay and kalamata olives from a 2.4-hectare grove.
It used to produce lamb (the offering includes a 5000-head-capacity feed lot), and has 350 hectares for further irrigation development.
As well as agricultural operations, the holding includes a dedicated and growing industrial park. More than 150 hectares of the site has the potential to be rezoned to an industrial use. At present Thurla Farms includes 48 hectares of industrial-zoned land, part of which is developed as an eco-industrial freight gate.
Col Beasley’s son and farm manager Travis said his objective was to further develop the lucrative asset’s production capabilities.
With a 50-year agreement for up to 12,000 megalitres of water, the property is effectively drought-proof.
“In short we are interested in offers for the Thurla Farms property on a going-concern basis, or with our Ruralco agents we invite inquiries from investors who may want to secure a stake in the agribusiness sector as an equity or financial partner.
“Our family believes that after 10 years of intensive development our farm and this district is on the cusp of performing to its true potential”.
PWC’s Joff Macleod is also acting for the Beasley family in regard to any transaction.
“Thurla Farms is offered for sale with a multi-million dollar complex of management offices, a packing shed complex and general farm buildings including silos, shearing sheds, yards, centre pivot irrigators, pipelines and watering infrastructure,” Ruralco Property agents John Morris and Michael Everard said.
The brokers added the offering was considered Victoria’s, and one of Australia’s, largest integrated agribusiness operations.
Col Beasley was a well known figure in the speedway and drag racing community. He bought Thurla Farms in 1980, later building a modern four bedroom home with a tennis court, which is also included as part of the listing.
The grandfather and well known Mildura district local died at 59.
