Fish farm fails to sell at auction

THE Ballina Fishing Park failed to sell at auction yesterday, but the selling agents are confident the property will find a new owner within the next month.

THE Ballina Fishing Park failed to sell at auction yesterday, but the selling agents are confident the property will find a new owner within the next month.

About 12 people turned up for the auction, which was held at the North Creek Road site.

No bids were made on the day, despite prodding from auctioneer and principal of Ray White Banora, Gary Teis.

“There are a huge number of fish here. It’s impossible to count,” he told the prospective buyers.

“There would be a minimum of 10,000 in stock at the moment.

“The property also includes a three-bedroom home.

“The marketing of the Ballina Fishing Park has been quite extensive and the response has beenvaried.

“What we have here is a fantastic business opportunity. It needs someone with the skills and vision to take it to the next level.

“It’s here to be sold.”

However, no one took the bait.

Eventually, Mr Teis passed the property in, saying he realised ‘there are quite a few of you here today wishing to negotiate different terms’.

Co-agent David Powell said he was not surprised the auction failed to attract a buyer on the day.

“We’ve had at least 80 interested parties,” he said.

“The 12 or so people here today are the ones that are very interested in the property, but we realised that putting it up for auction would be difficult for some.

“We expect to have further negotiations and I do believe that we will sell this property within the next few weeks or so.”

Mr Powell said the 17-hectare Ballina Fishing Park could become one of the region’s premier tourist destinations if given the right treatment.

“It’s got a lot of potential,” he said.

The saltwater fishing park currently has aquaculture farm production, with permits in place from NSW Fisheries.

Originally published as Fish farm fails to sell at auction