The Mitolo Hillston Portfolio in New South Wales’ renowned Lachlan Valley offers a premium, institutional-scale, intensive dryland and irrigated cropping opportunity enhanced by 6,005 megalitres of water entitlements and significant packing facilities.
Spanning 3,646 hectares, the Portfolio is made up of four non-contiguous holdings, including Moora (532ha), Shilo (673ha), Glenavon (2,435ha) and the Lachlan River Packing Shed (six ha), with each property located within an approximate 14-kilometre radius of each other.
LAWD Senior Director, Jaclyn Hope, said she expected the listing to draw significant interest from the market, with the potential buyer having the option to benefit from an experienced management team.
“Currently operated by Mitolo Family Farms, the Mitolo Hillston Portfolio provides efficient, high-quality production at sought-after scale and is an outstanding example of why the Lachlan Valley is so highly regarded,” Ms Hope said.
“Infrastructure to support access to diverse markets and an experienced management team also provide scope for a smooth transition of ownership, and we believe high levels of interest will come from institutional investors and corporates looking for a premium investment opportunity in Australian agriculture.”
Water and irrigation infrastructure a highlight
The Portfolio is significantly developed to 1,872ha (52%) of centre pivot irrigation, with water supplied from 6,005ML of highly secure entitlements from the Lower Lachlan Groundwater Source. Water management benefits from the ability to carry-over up to 150% of unused water entitlements year-on-year.
Dryland cropping spans 1,543ha (42%) of the Portfolio, with native vegetation and support land, and the extensive packing shed facility, making up the balance of Mitolo Hillston’s total area.
Productive soil types of mostly red brown chromosols and calcareous red soils featuring high moisture retention are key to production, along with the Portfolio’s excellent climate and reliable rainfall, averaging approximately 375 millimetres annually. Currently, more than 40,000 tonnes of brushed potatoes are grown each year, along with wheat, barley and canola.
Established supply chains
Mitolo Family Farms has dedicated 800ha per annum to its brushed potato operations, representing a significant operating business with major national retail and wholesale market customers. This is supported by a high-quality seed pipeline, much of which is exclusive to Mitolo, and the incoming purchaser will have the opportunity to leverage as part of the sale.
Supply chain access and efficiency is further optimised through extensive infrastructure at the Lachlan River Packing Shed and proximity to key markets. The facility features a 4,948sqm grading and packing shed, 5,404sqm cold storage, dry storage, a workshop, administration building and a fire protection system consisting of two 400,000 litre water tanks. Its proximity to the Sturt Highway allows easy access to ports to the east and south, as well as to key commodity processing facilities.
To further support operations, the Portfolio features a range of machinery, implement and storage sheds, extensive workshops, chemical storage, fuel storage and fill points, 240 tonnes of grain silo storage, a 950-metre earthen airstrip and two single storey, three-bedroom residences.
The Portfolio is approximately 20 linear kilometres to Hillston, which provides limited retail, administrative, medical and education facilities, while Griffith, almost an hour away by vehicle, provides a more extensive array of amenities and services.
The Mitolo Hillston Portfolio is being offered for sale by Expressions of Interest closing at 12.00pm (AEST) Thursday 26 June. For more information, contact LAWD Senior Directors Jaclyn Hope on +61 424 596 858, or Danny Thomas on +61 439 349 977, or LAWD Sales Executive Patrick Kerr on +61 451 142 791.
