The Dorrigo Plateau has always been known for it’s high rainfall with a long term average of 2000 millimetres per year.
Although down about 25 per cent for 2017-18 year around 1500mm this winter has actually been better than last with 500mm between the start of July and end of October, including 300mm in the last month.
The coast has seen even more with higher than average falls for this time of year where Raleigh just south of Coffs Harbour has recorded over 600mm between July and October. Coupled with recent warm weather the country has really responded providing a good base leading into summer.
Climate and rainfall has always been a major driver for people coming to the area particularly from further west or southern Queensland.
Not just high rainfall but the reliability of rain events, coupled with fertile soils and favourable climate make for extremely versatile and productive country supporting a diverse range of enterprises from beef and dairy to cropping and horticulture.
The last two years in particular has seen a large number of rural property transactions with new people moving to the area and locals expanding.
Yesterday (December 5) in Dorrigo, the 396.43 hectare (979.2 acre) ‘Gangara’ and 98.16 hectare (242.5 acre) ‘Rosedale’ were auctioned. The following Wednesday on December 12, the neighbouring properties of ‘The Meadows’ and ‘Riverview’ with a total area of 246.43 hectares (608.7 acres) are to be auctioned in Bellingen.
‘Gangara’ is one of the larger holdings on the Dorrigo Plateau and has benefited from significant investment in pastures, new stock yards and fencing plus water infrastructure including 1,000L concrete troughs connected by 50mm lines in all paddocks.
Underlined by a 300ML water licence, over 9km of river frontage, multiple permanent springs and dams water is an outstanding feature. With no corners cut and much of the hard work done scope still remains to value add and continue improvements increasing useable area. Largely destocked for sale with only 80 cows and calves remaining there is an abundance of feed for the new owner plus the opportunity to purchase the remaining livestock.
Bordering the escarpment on the eastern side of Dorrigo, ‘Rosedale’ has views to the Pacific Ocean and across the plateau while also being one of the regions most productive farms currently running 100 heifers that calved in August with no supplementary feeding through winter. A rare DA approval for visitor/tourism accommodation also provides opportunity for additional income.
‘The Meadows’ and ‘Riverview’, 125.96 hectares (311.1 acres) and 120.47 hectares (297.6 acres) respectively, have traditionally been run as a single farm and could see the new owners do the same or be purchased individually. Historically two of the best farms in the region both consist predominantly of highly fertile river flats with areas of flood free higher country where all buildings are located.
These include a four bedroom home plus machinery shed on ‘Riverview’ plus large machinery shed, dairy complex and two bedroom cottage on ‘The Meadows’.
Also forming part of ‘The Meadows’ are two by five acre lots with building entitlements providing future subdivision potential (STCA) being only minutes to the beach and midway between Coffs Harbour and Bellingen.
With vendors committed to selling if you are in the market all will present fantastic value to their new owners.
SUBMITTED BY AGENT
- Agents: Rory Birt, Ray White Rural Dorrigo & Bellingen, 0403 913 527