Rare rural offering...

Originally part of the Golf Hill Estate, this highly productive 344 hectare (851 acre) farm enterprise at Shelford, on Victoria’s western plains boasts over a kilometre of Leigh River frontage. Currently running pulse, cereal and oil seed crops and dual purpose merinos in addition to 100ha of natural temperate grasslands that are part of the Victorian Volcanic Plains (VVP). Less than 1% of the original native vegetation of the VPP survives today and these remnants form important habitat for many threatened plants and animals.

The current owners have walked gently and listened to the land during their 15 year custodianship and ongoing management practices have helped to reverse the decline of the critically endangered grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains and associated flora and fauna species of the area. Weed control, seasonal grazing and prescribed burning now help the enterprise enjoy the added benefits that come from working with the natural environment.

With almost 200 ha of arable country the property is well suited to cereal and oilseed production, as well as grazing pursuits; which are the primary enterprises of the current operation. Soil type profile for the property is a mix of sandy loam river flats, while the majority of the property is grey loam over a clay base, with some heavier black clay along the western boundary and some scattered basalt stone barrier country.

Improvements include a four-bedroom brick veneer home with two living zones, open plan kitchen, with walk-in butler’s pantry with loads of storage. There’s an adjoining dining area overlooking the living room with reverse cycle heating-cooling, wood heating and doors opening onto the front deck. For quieter times, there’s a separate lounge, while the children are well served by a rumpus room with separate access to the front deck. The master bedroom offers privacy from the children’s zone and has built-in robes, RC/AC and a full ensuite. The other three bedrooms all have built-in robes and access to the large family bathroom with bath, walk-in shower and separate powder room; a home office could easily accommodate a fifth bedroom. To complete the offering, there’s a galley-style laundry with a wall of storage plus double garage with internal access. The home is fully insulated and features double-glazed doors and windows plus solar hot water.

Farm improvements include;
• New 18 x 36 metre 4-bay steel machinery shed, plus another 4-bay machinery shed.
• Solar water pump.
• Shearing shed with steel handling yards.
• Formed central laneway with crushed rock base.
• Well established pasture improvement.

The property is subdivided into approx. 10 paddocks and stock water is supplied by 8 dams and two seasonal watercourses, which fill several dams on their journey to the river. There are a number of shelterbelts provided from a variety of native and cypress species. Fencing over the property can be described as in excellent to good condition. The property is 40 minutes from Ballarat, 45 minutes from Geelong and 90 minutes from Melbourne.

Two early-variety grazing wheat crops have been sown and are included in the sale. For more information and farm fact sheet, contact selling agent; Malcolm Condie: 0407 034410