SATURDAY’S auction of North Coast grazing gem, “Disputed Plain”, is sure to break hearts.
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Inquiry has been strong for the 211 hectare (524 acre) property at Bentley, which, according to selling agent Kel Gunther, PRDnationwide Casino, offers some of the best balanced grazing country in the Northern Rivers.
The property, which consists of predominately chocolate and black volcanic basalt soils, has broken hearts before.
Its name, “Disputed Plain”, came about in 1845 when two station owners from neighbouring properties, Tunstall Station and Runnymede Station, began feuding over boundaries. Tunstall, owned by Augustus Adolphus Leycester, stood to the north, and Runnymede, owned by Ward Stephens, was positioned to the south, extending over to Fairy Hill where the homestead stood.
Both men took their claim to the courts in England.
The history books say the claim sent both parties bankrupt and bought about Mr Stephen’s early death.
The re-named property was purchased by Alexander and Margaret Armstrong in 1866.
At the time, the land parcel consisted of 129ha (320ac) and was expanded in 1870. The land on offer today is where the original homestead was built.
The current owner, Frank Hannigan of Hannigans Solicitors, Casino, has owned the property for 10 years now.
Mr Hannigan, who has recently purchased another property on the Horton River at Bingara, said he initially selected the property for its top soil.
“It had the deepest top soil of any property I had ever seen,” Mr Hannigan said.
During his ownership Mr Hannigan ran 100 to 150 cows and calves.
He said the property was ideally positioned to sell cattle into the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange at Casino. Additionally, the town centre of Lismore was just 15 kilometres away.
Mr Hannigan improved the pasture to include a large amount of Paspalum and slashed it occasionally to allow feed to flourish.
He said a large area of flats were suitable for cultivation, with the balance of the property being undulating valleys to steeper ridges.
Water supply for the property is from spring fed dams and gullies and the annual rainfall is 1130 millimetres a year.
Mr Hannigan said he was selling with sadness.
“The scenery is absolutely amazing,” he said.
“It’s peaceful, always green and water is plentiful.”
The property has an airstrip which may appeal to interstate or city-based buyers.
“Disputed Plain” will be auctioned onsite on Saturday, April 2, at 10.30am.
