625 Shirbourne Road Giru, 4809 QLD

Excellent, Well Developed Hay/Cane Farm Giru

4 1 6

PROPERTY LOCATION:

The property is located on the banks of the Haughton River, adjacent the rich Burdekin Delta irrigation district. Just 40km along the Bruce Highway south from Townsville and 40km north of Ayr, Haughton Hay & Grazing is well positioned to grow a wide variety of crops. Formerly a Sugarcane Farm the property has been converted to Hay Farming since 2016. With roadtrain transport to the west (Flinders Highway - 3 trailers) and B-Double Road trains along the Bruce Highway the farm is readily accessible.

Townsville is a vibrant coastal city of approx 200,000 people with diverse industry and opportunities for employment, business and higher education. For cattlemen the Live Export shipping ex Townsville and Townsville JBS meatworks are also major attractions for this location.

Giru (population 700 people) is noted for the Invicta Sugar Mill, which is owned by Wilmar Sugar. There is a bowling club, the Giru International Hotel and a local store to pick up basic grocery items.

AREA & TENURE:

Freehold
Total Area 85.36 ha (210.92 acres approximately)

THE HAUGHTON RIVER:

Whilst it doesn’t take up a large land area the water infrastructure in the Haughton catchment is of particular importance to the agricultural production systems and the supply needs of the Burdekin Shire, and Townsville City Councils. Water from the Burdekin River is transferred across to the Haughton Balancing Storage via the Haughton Main Channel where it is distributed to the Haughton River for irrigation and the Giru town water supply. It is also transferred from the Haughton Balancing Storage via pipeline to the Ross River Dam to supplement the water supply of Townsville.

Approximately 13,000 hectares of cane land is situated within the Haughton River catchment. The Burdekin region produces the highest tonnage of cane per hectare compared to an industry average of approximately 80 tonnes. The main reason is the availability of water for irrigation. All cane in the Burdekin is irrigated. The Haughton River catchment has approximately 14% of the Burdekin region’s cane farming area within its boundaries. It is also the home of the region’s largest mill, Invicta.

Orchards, tree crops, tropical fruits and other small crops form an important part of the agriculture mosaic in the area. Cattle production in the immediate Giru area is limited to a small number of properties due to the opportunity cost of flat, arable farming land.

FARMING LAND / AGRONOMY:

Soils – deep, fertile, well drained river and clay loams.

The property is divided into 34 laser levelled bays suitable for FLOOD irrigation.

Fertiliser usage is conservatively managed to ensure optimum crop growth and minimum wastage. The fertiliser currently used is either Incitec CK 300 S or Burdekin NS is supplied in 1 tonne bags. The cost per tonne can vary throughout the year but it is currently around $900 per tonne at the time of writing 10.25. Approximately 220kg of these blended fertiliser’s is used per Ha on average per cut.

Hay crop – Rhodes Grasses specifically bred for best hay farming include ‘Mariner’, ‘Reclaimer’ and ‘Endura’ varieties are all used. However it is predominately an equal mix of Mariner and Reclaimer Rhodes, the current owners have just replanted 7 HA of Endura Rhodes this year. Crop yields are approximately 15 - 18 big square bales (1 big square = approx.400 kg) per hectare Approximately 6 to 7.2 Tonnes per HA average. Recent cuts were 7.3 tonne to the Ha 20.10.25

River - The property has a Haughton River frontage of approx 650m which is timbered by large native trees and an understory of smaller shrubs. Due to the very flat nature of the Burdekin & Haughton delta, the cropping portion of the property is subject to flooding in extreme rainfall events.

Horse / cattle paddocks – there are 3 livestock paddocks in total. 1 small paddock beside the house is currently used for horses (electric fence) and the other 2 paddocks are fenced with barb, watered by a natural lagoon and used for cattle.

Formally a Sugar Cane farm producing 5000-6000 tonnes pa.

HOUSE:

Located on the NW corner of the property the 4-Bedroom block home which has recently been extensively renovated. The house has a brand-new kitchen which includes an island bench, new windows throughout, new vinyl plank flooring, interior of the house has been freshly painted, newly renovated laundry and office area and an additional extra bedroom has been added. It has new lights and power points with some new air-conditioning also. The house is fully split system airconditioned throughout. The layout features open plan living with adjoining lounge, dining and kitchen with bedrooms each side of the hallway. There is a large bathroom, a separate toilet, laundry, porch and undercover patio area.

New Kitchen
New Flooring
New additional Bedroom
New lighting, fans and switches
New plumbing
New Windows
Fully Airconditioned
Built in Cupboards
New Laundry and office space

Sheds:

There are three sheds in total.

The New big hay shed (CQ Sheds) is approximately 15 m x 24 m x 5.5 m to the eve. It is closed in on three sides and has open bays at the front. It can hold approximately 900 big square bales. This shed has a dirt floor with poly belting laid out for hay at times of storage.

A slightly newer shed beside the house is approximately 25 m x 12m. This shed is used for machinery and fertiliser storage plus vehicle parking. This shed is constructed of RHS steel framing and roofing iron.

The old original shed is also approximately 25 m x 12 m. This shed is constructed of steel posts and with hardwood timber battens and is semi-enclosed in sections. This shed is used for workshop and machinery needs. This shed has a lockable room with a concrete floor and it also has lockable a 20 Foot donga on stumps. This shed has electricity and water connected.

The Old Shed has also recently had an extension off the northern side. This new extension is approximately 18 m x 12m. This was built out of steel RHS and roofing iron. In total it has added an additional 4 bays, with two horse stables built into the very last bay, which measures approximately 4 m x 4m. These stables lead out into the brand new full electrified horse paddock. Beside the old shed is also an “outhouse” toilet and water point for washing down machinery.

WATER:

Irrigation has a water license drawing water from the Haughton/Giru weir adjacent to the property. The pumping station is connected to 3-phase power and located on the bank of the river.

Sunwater Announced Allocation

There is two separate Allocations totalling 660 megalitres. Water Account no. 122499

WA5073/AP14988 (150ML)
WA169/AP14988 (510ML)

NB. The % of ‘allocation’ may vary from the full annual allocation (100%) depending on the Sunwater assessment of water availability). Unused water allocation rolls over each year allowing you to use it at a later date if required. This happens in good rainfall years.

Pump: Electric K&L Centrifugal open 8” water pump with 18.5KW electric motor – pumping directly from the weir and delivers irrigation and domestic supplies via a network of inground 300mm and 400mm, poly and concrete, mains piping. Considerable expense has been undertaken, in recent years, to extend, replace and maintain the mains water supply lines.

Flood irrigation is the means by which all paddocks are irrigated. By the use of plastic fluming, cups and laser levelled paddocks the low-pressure water is delivered cheaply and efficiently to the hay paddocks. The irrigation drills vary from approximately 400m to 900m in length.

PLANT & MACHINERY:

Haughton Hay & Grazing is being sold inclusive of key hay farming plant and equipment. Fixtures such as pumps and motors pertaining to irrigation will be included.

Machinery list:

New Fertiliser Spreader
JCB Tele Handler
GX135 Kubota Tractor w/ loader attachment
GX135 Kubota tractor w/ GPS
NEW Holland Tractor 190HP
Krone Mower Conditioner 3.2
Krone mower 3.2
Krone Round Baler
Krone 1270 Big Pack Multi Baler
Kune Dual Rakes
Krone Tedder 6.7
Kroner Tedder 5.6
Krone Single Rake
40 ft hay trailer
International Body Truck
Mulcher
Slasher 6ft

FISHING & WATER ACTIVITIES:

For the fishermen this is paradise! The farm has direct and private access to land based freshwater fishing from both the Weir wall and the riverbank.

The Haughton River & Morrissey Creek have renowned barramundi fishing and crabbing and are a very popular destination for fishermen far and wide. There are two public boat ramps accessing the saltwater creeks close by. The mouth of Haughton River is within ½ hour boat ride from the Cromarty boat ramp. The property is also near Morrisey’s Creek boat ramp, which is a good place to launch bigger boats heading out to the nearby Shoals and Reef. A word of caution, Saltwater Crocodiles inhabit the Haughton River even in the upper reaches, above the freshwater weirs.

DISCLAIMER: The above report on Haughton Hay & Grazing has been prepared by Slaney & Co based on information supplied by the property owner and other credible sources. Every endeavour has been made to verify its accuracy. Whilst we trust the information to be correct, we make no warranties or guarantees and prospective purchasers must rely on their own enquiries & research

For Sale $3.8 Million inclusive of Crop & Machinery

Inspect

Inspection of this property is available by arrangement, or at the following advertised times.

  • Wed 12th Nov 4:22pm - 5:22pm

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