Century-old cotton farm leads blue-chip rural listings

JLL agribusiness director Clayton Smith and Nutrien Harcourts’ Andrew Jakins have been appointed to market the aggregation on behalf of its owner, Wally Taylor, via an expressions-of-interest campaign.

While the agents declined to quote a price, water entitlements of over 8800 megalitres are expected to yield more than $20 million on their own.

“It is a privilege to be listing the aggregation on behalf of Wally Taylor, who is a highly regarded identity in the Australian cotton industry,” said the agents.

“Wally was one of the earliest cotton growers in the Macintyre Valley and his contributions to the agricultural sector are considerable.”

Mr Taylor was a director of ASX-listed Namoi Cotton for 20 years until 2009 as well as a major contributor to the funding and implementation of the Pindari Dam extension completed in 1994. He is selling as he transitions towards retirement.

Riverina sanctuary

On the Murrumbidgee River, north-east of Gundagai in the NSW Riverina, Diane and Gary Heavin, the co-founders of global gym chain Curves, are selling their 3700-hectare beef, prime lamb and wool aggregation for more than $15 million.

The Texan-born entrepreneurs created one of the world’s biggest gym franchises with more than 7000 locations, before selling the majority of the business to private equity firm North Castle Partners in 2012.

The Heavins began buying up Australian farmland a decade ago, after discovering the region while on their global travels.

“When you run a worldwide business enterprise, finding a sanctuary is an important part of maintaining your sanity,” Mr Heavin said.

The four adjoining properties have 14 kilometres of river frontage. The largest of them, Riverbend at Nanangroe spans 1548 hectares. It is expected to sell for between $7 and $8 million.

David Nolan from Webster Nolan Real Estate and Jake Smith and Abb McAlister from Elders Real Estate are handling the sale of Heavin Farms.

Hollywood link

Also coming to market is Giro Station, a 8014-hectare beef operation near Gloucester, on the NSW mid North Coast.

Price expectations are above $19.5 million for the breeding and backgrounding property, which has a carrying capacity of 1500 to 1700 breeding cows plus progeny.

The station, home to the VIP cattle brand, was at one time owned by Hollywood actress Anne Baxter and her husband Randolph Gault.

The vendor this time is Tony Clift’s Kilburnie Cattle Company, which is also selling its $25 million Gunnedah Portfolio on the Liverpool Plains.

Both Giro Station and the Gunnedah Portfolio are being offered by Inglis Rural Property.

Sales manager Sam Triggs said Giro Station was one of the region’s most historic and treasured holdings.

“It boasts stunning dramatic hills rolling to fertile valleys and pristinerivers with high production capability underpinned by high rainfall.”