It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Joel Robinson

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens, rooftop open space and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Ceerose, founded by Edward Doueihi in 1998, has become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

First look: Ceerose doubles down in Leichhardt with adaptive reuse of former warehouse site

Melbourne developer Spacious Group has completed Voyage Altona, one of the closest new apartment developments to Altona Beach.

Off the plan purchasers have started moving into the 49-apartment project on Pier Street, with the remaining move-in-ready one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments starting from just over $500,000.

Display apartments have now been fitted out, allowing prospective buyers to inspect the completed residences by appointment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=372638]

The completed apartments feature open-plan living and dining areas which extend onto private balconies and terraces, while full-height glazing maximises natural light throughout the interiors.&nbsp;

Hybrid timber-look flooring, stone benchtops, Miele appliances, porcelain-tiled bathrooms and generous storage feature throughout the building which also features landscaped communal areas, expansive shared terraces, lift access and secure on-grade parking.

Drawing inspiration from its bayside setting, Voyage adopts a restrained palette of warm neutral tones and textured finishes. Many of the apartments take advantage of views across Port Phillip Bay, while the indoor-outdoor living spaces have been designed to make the most of the coastal outlook.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=3286]

Voyage was developed to address what Spacious Group identified as an undersupply of higher-quality apartment product in Altona, with a focus on owner-occupiers looking to remain within the bayside community.

"Voyage responds to very strong local buyer demand for quality, owner-occupier-focused product," says Barry Plant Projects Director Jarrod Farey, who has handled sales since the project's launch.

"The project delivers an elevated lifestyle proposition, with its design and quality of finish far exceeding anything previously produced in the area, as well as its proximity to Pier Street Village and the beach."

The majority of purchasers have been local downsizers and owner-occupiers looking to stay within the Altona community but who previously had limited opportunities to buy a brand-new apartment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112195]

Spacious Group completes Voyage Altona in Altona's beachside precinct

Rural Sale

<html><body>
Expatriate Australian billionaire Michael Hintze has spent some small change to buy another Queensland sugar cane farm.
The $9 million bought the 457 hectare parcel from Sugar Water Pty Ltd.
The London-based hedge fund founder has amassed one of Australia's biggest farm portfolios, with acquisitions totalling about 50,000 hectares since 2007.
His private pension funder, MHPF, has spent about $142 million on the land and water purchases.
His Queensland sugar cane farms purchases marked a shift away from its 15 acquisitions in NSW, which include mixed farming of wool, prime lambs, cattle and winter cropping.
Hintze's buying spree began when he spent $12.5 million for a Breadalbane property in July 2007.
He is the founder and senior investment officer of CQS Management, a London-based hedge fund with assets of $US10.5 billion.
Trained as an engineer, he is a well-known philanthropist, with beneficiaries including the University of Sydney and the Vatican's Victoria and Albert Museum. 
His name has been in the British headlines for the past few months given the vote for Britain to leave Europe.
Rare with his public pronouncements, Hintze has said he was not just looking for capital gain from the properties. He says he seeks solid returns on production.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Michael Hintze buys another Queensland farm for $9 million

<html><body>
The West Australia farm, Yathroo, covering almost 12,000ha at Dandaragan, has been sold by its Kuwaiti owner to Wagin couple Mat and Jade Stoney.
It is understood the Stoneys will transform Yathroo for cropping and cattle production.
Yacoub Yousef Al-Homaizi farms 50,000 sheep and lambs with about 2000ha set aside to grow crops sine he bought it more than two decades ago from bsuinessman Alan Bond 
It was sold by Elders agents Malcolm French and Andrew Farson.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-mixed+farming-wa-dandaragan-7791386" target="_blank">Yathroo</a> was founded soon after a settler expedition in 1848.
It still comes with its original 1855 homestead, set about 165km north of Perth.
The Al-Homaizi Group was founded by Yacoub Yousef Al-Homaizi, now in his 80s, who was a major force in the economic and social development of Kuwait.
Around $40 million was tipped.
</body></html>

Yathroo, WA farm sale by Kuwaiti

<html><body>
Investor Anthony Crichton-Brown has expanded his Western Riverina landholdings with the purchase of Natue Station at Booligal from its longtime owners, the Robinson family. 
The 16,000 hectares was settled in the 1880s by Henry Wilton Robinson, managed principally as a Merino sheep enterprise. 
The property was put to the market by Sam Triggs at Inglis Rural Property.
Crichton-Brown, a former chairman of Lumley Insurance in London who divides his time now between Australia and the UK, is already a substantial landholder in the Hay district.
Natue Station has 13km of double frontage to Merrimajeel Creek, extensive water systems, well-maintained improvements and a five-bedroom homestead built in the 1980s.
No price has been disclosed for the sale of Natue Station, but Sam Triggs told The Land that grazing land in the Booligal region was typically selling between $250-$375/ha ($100-$150/ac) depending on the standard of improvements. 
It represents a portfolio of three pastoral stations which have been held by a single family for over 130 years. 
Natue Station, the headquarters of the aggregation, accompanied by Box Creek Station and Fairleigh Station form to provide critical mass and economies of scale with close to 60,000 acres of renowned Riverina grazing country.  
The Natue Station aggregation is offered 'As-A-Whole' and in three parcels, including:
- Natue Station: 9,685.6 ha (23,933.11 ac)*
- Box Creek Station: 9,150 ha (22,609.65 ac)*
- Fairleigh: 5,142 ha (12,705.882 ac)*
- Total area: 23,977 ha (59,248.64 ac)*
The grazing land, with Lachlan River and Merrijameel Creek frontages, was suitable for sheep and cattle with scope for irrigation development.
"Seldom does the opportunity to secure a large scale, fertile and long held Riverina pastoral holding," said Sam Triggs at Inglis.
</body></html>

Natue Station sold to Anthony Crichton-Brown

<html><body>
Mundarlo's Deltroit Station, one of the standout pastoral holdings of the Eastern Riverina, has been listed for sale.
It is less than three years since it was bought by the Brisbane-based investment company, Australian Pastoral Group (APG).
The 2548 hectare (6296ac) grazing and cropping property, with 1902 homestead situated 33 kilometres south of Gundagai in the Hillas Creek valley, was bought by APG in 2012.
It became the administrative flagship of APG, a company established by Alan Hayes, who was previously the founding chief executive of Paraway Pastoral Company for Macquarie Bank.
APG’s two other stations, the 141,000ha Neumayer Valley in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and the 6000ha “Kinbeachie” at Goondiwindi in south-west Queensland are also for sale through Inglis Rural Property.
Offers are closing May 19, with Inglis’ sales manager, Sam Triggs, suggesting in the $18-$20 million range, given the property’s proven productivity and high standard of improvements.
Taken up as a selection in 1866 by William and John Richardson, Deltroit Station remained in Richardson descendants’ ownership for nearly a century.
Subsequent owners included US-based King Ranch principal Robert Kleberg, the Adelaide-based Barr-Smith family, and former Lumley Insurance chairman Anthony Crichton-Brown who was the 2012 vendor.
</body></html>

Deltroit, Mundarlo listed by APG

<html><body>
Shanghai Pengxin and its partner Australian Rural Capital have been assigned preferred bidder status for Australia's largest rural landholder, S.Kidman &amp; Co. 
It followed a Kidman &amp; Co board meeting last week. 
The Foreign Investment Review Board has yet to make a decision on their rumoured $350 million bid. 
S. Kidman &amp; Co is Australia's largest private rural landholder spread across 11 cattle stations in South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.
FIRB rejected an initial offer from Shanghai Pengxin last year with its standalone offer after concerns were raised about its proximity to the Woomera weapons testing range in South Australia. 
Pengxin now has a local partner, Australian Rural Capital, which is expected to manage the land should the bid be successful.
</body></html>

Kidman sale to Shanghai Pengxin syndicate nears

<html><body>
A tenanted commercial property in Australia’s cotton capital Wee Waa in New South Wales has fetched $830,000 at a Burgess Rawson auction.
The vendor tenant, Landmark, is owned by Agrium Group, a retail supplier of agribusiness products and services with revenue of US $16 billion in 2014.
Landmark has 400 locations across Australia.
The <a href="https://www.burgessrawson.com.au/2P1116#.VrC6-seO6t8" target="_blank">70 Boolcarrol Road</a> property is on a secure five-year lease from June 2012 with further options till 2027.
Net income from the 9,560 sqm corner site is nearly $93,999 pa + GST. The lessee pays all statutory outgoings, as per lease.
The property recently underwent upgrades to the tune of $400,000.
Wee Waa is one of Australia’s biggest agricultural hubs situated in the rich Lower Namoi Valley agricultural heartland.
</body></html>

prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Arguim sell Landmark Wee Waa commercial premises for $830,000

<html><body>
Despite suggestions Ernst &amp; Young is close to selling the Kidman family’s ­vast cattle estate, new potential buyers have reportedly emerged.
The Melbourne based Fox family who own Linfox have been pinpointed as a late interested party.
Fairfax Media suggested the $3 billion Linfox logistics empire founded by trucking magnate Lindsay Fox - now largely run by three of his sons Peter, Andrew and David - had the desire and financial capacity to lodge a serious bid for Kidman.
Andrew Fox runs the company’s property division and is understood to have held recent talks with senior government officials about making a potential offer.
The preferred Hunan Dakang bidders had been thought as set to re-emerge with an Australian partner to buy all the Kidman property except the defence sensitive Anna Creek at a price a little below the original bid at $370 million.
Australia's biggest private rural landholding, which includes the world's largest cattle station, is up for sale by the pioneering pastoralist company, S. Kidman and Co. 
Eleven cattle stations covering more than 100,000 square kilometres are being offered through Ernst and Young Adelaide.
S. Kidman and Co. is 98% owned by members of the Kidman family, represented by 58 shareholdings. Not all wanted to sell, The Land reported earlier this year, adding last financial year the company reported a net operating cashflow of $9.3 million and paid dividends of 20 cents a share. 
But it recorded a net after tax loss of $1.4m as herd numbers declined 15 per cent because of tough seasonal conditions to 182,350 head, and their livestock market value fell about $10 million to $97.4 million.
The cattle king Sir Sidney Kidman's first purchase was in 1886: Owen Springs south-west of Alice Springs.
The business still has cattle stations across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia. 
Anna Creek Station in South Australia's outback, with defence security proximity concerns, is the largest at 23,000 square kilometres. 
The other holdings include Helen Springs in the Northern Territory and Ruby Plains in Western Australia, Durham Downs, Durrie, Glengyle, Morney Plains, Naryilco and Rockybank in Queensland; Innamincka, Macumba and Tungali in South Australia where the company is headquartered.
Property Observer first reported the S.Kidman first cattle empire was set for sale on 14 December here.
</body></html>

Fox family keen on Kidman farms?

<html><body>
Australia's richest person, mining magnate Gina Rinehart, has bought Glencoe Station in NSW's Dubbo district, according to The Land.
It is for her expanding Wagyu beef operation.  
The 10,000-hectare property purchase was from the former Meat and Livestock Corporation chairman Dick Austen.
The property's Hartley Grazing Company listed 1000 angus cows for sale in Fairfax's The Land newspaper heightening bush rumours that Mrs Rinehart's intention is seemingly to replace the angus with the Wagyu breed.
Glencoe Station was bought off-market deal through Colliers International agent Richard Royle.
Her plans to buy four cattle holdings in Western Australia fell through after a breakdown in negotiations earlier this year, but she purchased the Kimberley region Fossil Downs cattle station in a sale worth about $30 million. 
</body></html>

Gina Rinehart buys Glencoe Station

<html><body>
Hunter Valley tourism entreprenuer Matt Cowley has sold his private Polkobin vineyard estate, Hillside for $4 million. 
<a href="https://jurds.com.au/listings/rural_sale-173891-pokolbin/" target="_blank">The pavilion style home overlooking a lake at the 46-hectare property</a> was recently bought by Victor Virgona and his wife Maree after being listed through Alan Jurd of Jurd's Real Estate.
It fetched the same price Matt paid for in 2010 when he bought the property from Francis Johnson and Patricia Hume, the HR entreprenuer pair.
Selling agent Alan Jurd acknowledged the marketplace for pricey lifestyle property in the Hunter Valley had been challenging ever since the global financial crisis in 2008, but was showing early signs of recovery. It also sold in 2005 at $4 million.
It's the highest weekender sale since nearby Verona sold earlier this year at around $3.8 million. 
The prior owners of the trophy Hillside estate included former Time magazine chief, late Ed Barnum and his wife Rena. He was distantly related to P.T. Barnum, the showman of Barnum and Bailey fame.
The four bedroom, four bathroom Hillside, set on Marrowbone Road, has a tennis court, pool and an expansive vineyard, which had been planted by winemaking family the Drayton's almost five decades ago. The vineyard produces shiraz, traminer, verdelho and chardonnay. 
Matt and father Ken, the former News Corp chief, sold their Tower Estates, which included the wine business, in 2013 to Michael Hope. 
They retain ownership of the up-scale hotel Peppers Convent along with its popular restaurant, Circa 1876.
Victor and Maree had been previously active too in Hunter Valley tourism with links to Pokolbin Village, but are best remembered as setting a $20 million Balmoral record in 2005.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
</body></html>

Hillside, Polkolbin resells again at $4 million

<html><body>
Details on the sale of Tongy Station, the 4,637 ha property located in northern NSW at Merriwa, have started to emerge.
Property Observer <a href="/news/tongy-station-merriwa-under-offer">reported last week it was under offer</a> having been offered with $20 million plus hopes. The bush telegraph suggests close to $24 million.
Its buyer has been confirmed as an Sydney investor, amidst strong competition from across Australia and abroad, selling agent, Richard Royle of Colliers International said.
“The buyers, who wish to remain confidential, are a Sydney family with existing rural interests in Australia. It will provide the new owners with an enviable lifestyle and a premium agricultural asset.” 
“We conducted 27 inspections over the five week campaign, and received 13 offers.
"Some  85% of the offers submitted were from domestic buyers, however, we experienced interest from across the globe, ranging from wealthy individuals, to family offices, companies and funds.“
The talk is it has stayed within the establishment family, a familial buyer.
Tongy Station, professionaly managed by Mutual Trust who also assisted with the sale, dates back to the 1820’s, when Richard Fitzgerald, an ex-convict who arrived on the third fleet in 1791, was lead to Tongy by local Aborigines. 
In 1825 he was granted freehold title of Tongy by Governor Bourke for his services to the colony through Agricultural management. W. L. Baillieu, relative to one of the oldest families in Victoria, purchased Tongy in the 1920’s from Richard Fitzgerald’s five granddaughters and it has remained in the Baillieu family ever since. 
</body></html>

Rural Sale

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Rural Sale

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News