THE Lane family took up ownership of the Glen Innes property “Lonewood” towards the end of the Second World War, and if all goes to plan, that lengthy ownership is set to wind down through the very modern format of an online auction.
It will represent something of a contrast to the way in which the Lanes came to acquire “Lonewood”.
In the early 1940s, Frank Lane had owned a nearby property in Glen Innes, but that was resumed during the war and used for the Glen Innes airport.
Not looking to move far, he chose “Lonewood”, and his son Malcolm, and grandson Andrew continued to farm on the land.
Today, Andrew, his wife Leah, and two sons Patrick and Angus are preparing to farewell the property given the decision to sell.
Andrew and Leah Lane ran their online business, the Aussie Sapphire Lapidary Warehouse, in conjunction with the property but after 16 years it has grown to such a point that they have needed to relocate the business to a larger warehouse in town, where they also live.
Mr Lane took over ownership of the property from his father Malcom 15 years ago.
“We did grow a lot of soybeans in the past, but more recently we have been turning off steers, typically about 90 head a year, for the feedlot market,” Mr Lane said.
“We have always been able to produce crops and finish steers through dry times.
“It is certainly a very sought-after area, and has always been safe in terms of rainfall.”
More recent improvements to “Lonewood” have included new shedding which was established to accommodate the online business.
The Lanes have also added a set of steel cattle yards with a capacity for about 100 head.
Mr Lane said, as far as he was aware, “Lonewood” was one of the first properties in the area to be sold through the online auction format.
He said their experience with their own online business had contributed to the decision to offer the property in this manner.
The 95 hectare (234ac) property will be offered for sale through Elders Glen Innes, and Auctionworks Online.
The auction starts on August 21 at 11am and closes on August 26 at 1pm.
Elders Glen Innes agent Geoff Hayes said the property wold serve as an ideal finishing block, as well as offering the capacity to grow crops, including summer legumes and fodder crops.
He said “Lonewood” represented good, fertile cultivation country, with good water and proximity town; it is 12 kilometres north west of Glen Innes.
Mr Hayes said that despite dry conditions in the district, the Reddestone Creek was still running, and swans were currently nesting.
The property also includes a three bedroom house, silos and shearing shed.
Based on other sales in the area, “Lonewood” is expected to sell in the vicinity of $600,000 to $700,000.
View this property on Domain Rural.
Nick Heydon
The Land's property editor.
The Land's property editor.
