FOR $1.3 million a canny investor could buy a three-bedroom home in a Sydney suburb, a hobby farm on the Tablelands, or “Merriwee”, a viable commercial farming property in the Central West.
As such, it’s no contest. For just under $450 an acre ($1106/ha) you can own a versatile 1174-hectare (2400ac) mixed farming property with reliable rainfall, four-bedroom home and working infrastructure.
Not surprisingly, the new listing – coming at a time when not much else is offering for sale – has triggered a flood of inquiry, both local and interstate, for agent Michael Guest of Rural Property NSW.
“Merriwee” is situated 12 kilometres north of Baradine and 85km east of Coonamble, in a locality of 620mm average rainfall well suited to year-round cash and fodder cropping.
The property is owned by Justin and Carly Wright, who bought it seven years ago from John and Alphea Catts and are selling now only to enable them to devote more time to their contracting business.
This listing has triggered a flood of inquiry.
Described as level to gently undulating, “Merriwee” is mostly open grazing country with about 970ha developed for cropping, of which the present owners farm about 400ha.
A feature of the property is its range of soil types, from heavy dark grey to heavy red loam and lighter sandy loam, resulting in reliable responses to any rain events.
Stock water is provided by two equipped bores reticulating to tanks and troughs, supplemented by 11 paddock dams.
The predominantly native pastures are complemented by plantings of tropical grasses and legumes, on which the owners run a herd of 180 breeders in conjunction with the cropping operation.
Fenced laneways facilitate cattle handling, and recent improvements undertaken by the present owners include new fencing and regrowth control.
It is estimated the property could support up to 220 breeders with supplementary cropping, making it an ideal “starter” block, or a useful add-on for an expanding family enterprise.
The four-bedroom homestead has a covered outdoor entertaining area and swimming pool. Working improvements include modern machinery sheds, steel cattle yards, silos and an older-type woolshed.
