The bar has just been set higher for top-drawer farmland in the popular Crookwell district, following the pre-auction sale of “Wytaliba South” (main photo) at Roslyn.
Listed originally by Peter Reardon of Landmark Harcourts Goulburn for on-site auction on November 16, the 202 hectare (500ac) property was sold beforehand for $3.32 million to a Sydney buyer. The price equates to just under $16,000/ha ($6473/ac) which is believed to be a record for holdings of 150ha-plus size in the Crookwell district.
It is certainly nearly double the $1.7m ($8738/ha) paid for it by the present owner, Sydney businessman Ian Chambers, in three separate purchases from former owner Mal McDouall between 2004 and 2011.
Situated in the favoured Roslyn/McAlister area 14 kilometres east of Crookwell, “Wytaliba South” is a highly improved, mostly arable grazing property of basalt and granite loam soils.
Once prized as a source of market-topping prime lambs, the property now carries 150 Angus cows and comes with renovated four-bedroom brick home, large steel cattle yards and shedding.
Another local price record is thought to have been set on November 9 at the Brian Unthank Real Estate Albury auction of the mixed farming Mullengandra property, “Waverley”.
Before a field of five registered bidders, the 330ha former Table Top Station soldier’s block sold under the hammer for $3.8m, equivalent to $11,500/ha ($4656/ac).
Most of the interest came from local and semi-local parties, with the successful buyer being a near neighbour with a substantial holding.
Owned since 2011 by Bruce and Kerri Jacob, the pasture-improved property has estimated 4000 DSE carrying capacity, new sheep and cattle yards and an older-style refurbished five-bedroom homestead.
Meanwhile, in another pre-emptive strike, contracts exchanged ahead of the planned November 15 auction date for “Prestwick”, the New England grazing property of Roger Grant and family.
Marketed by Meares and Associates, and originally listed for on-line auction in April, the 1171ha Niangala property had been expected to sell in a range from $5-$5.5m.
The buyer was an unnamed Sydney investor with other rural interests.
Also sold this month to a Sydney buyer was Phalaris Stud, the 169ha Rylstone property of Aleco and Mary Jane Vrisakis, following a marketing campaign by Sam Triggs of Inglis Rural Property.
Situated in the Capertee Valley, the property has extensive equine facilities, an architect-designed homestead and a manager’s residence, and sold for an undisclosed price close to the expected $2m.
