Oakey Creek irrigation enterprise for sale for the first time in 80 years

AUSTRALIA – 12 May 2022 – Oakleigh West - a unique irrigation and dryland enterprise in the renowned and tightly held inner Darling Downs cropping region of Bowenville is being offered for sale through JLL for the first time in over 80 years.

On behalf of the Stephen Family, JLL’s Directors – Agribusiness Chris Holgar, Clayton Smith, Geoff Warriner and Sales Executive James Mitchell have been appointed to sell the property.

Providing a unique opportunity to acquire an irrigation and dryland farming asset with significant water assets in a single transaction, the property is situated 20 kilometres south-east of the township of Dalby with dual frontage to Oakey Creek. The property covers approximately 611.3 hectares of which approximately 90% is arable with balance areas classified as grazing and support land.

JLL’s Chris Holgar said, “Oakleigh West is undeniably unique in its location and scale having been held by the Stephen Family for over 80 years. Water is a real feature of the offering and comprises both groundwater and harvest licences which underwrite not only the existing operation but also provide the capacity to support landholdings in the broader region seeking additional water.”

The property has historically grown a number of high yielding crops on both a summer and winter rotation. Capital has been continually invested ensuring operational efficiency including the installation of a circa 199.2 hectare lateral irrigator.

In addition, the property has centrally located sheds and silos and two strategically located water storages totalling approximately 1,171 megalitres and Nominal Volume Water Entitlements of approximately 1,349ML. Given the topography of the landholding, there is also the ability to capture overland flow into both the main supply channel and water storages (via a single lift pump). 

JLL’s Clayton Smith said, “The Bowenville Region on Oakey Creek has historically been very tightly held due to the high-quality soil types, water availability and reliability. In light of recent rainfall, the property presents with a full moisture profile and storages enabling an incoming purchaser the ability to hit the ground running.”

The Gowrie/Oakey Creek system (Condamine Catchment) is recognised as a very reliable system with water being sourced by stormwater captured in the Toowoomba City catchment area, underpinned further by the ongoing discharging of treated wastewater by the Wetalla Water Reclamation Facility (Toowoomba Regional Council) into the system. The two sources feed the Gowrie/Oakey Creek system ultimately allowing irrigators to capture and utilise the resource.

Oakleigh West is for sale by Expression of Interest seeking highest and best offers, closing Thursday 9^th of June 2022 at 5:00pm AEST. The property is offered with all water and land assets available in one line or separately.