Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest buys New Norcia Farm for millions

With a price tag expected to be north of $35 million, ‘Twiggy’ Forrest has got his hands on ‘blue ribbon’ farmland in WA.

For the first time in 175 years the ownership of historical farmland in Western Australia will likely change hands after one of Australia’s richest families announced their desire to buy the property.

Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest and his wife, Nicola, have delivered their intention to purchase the farmland associated with the monastery township of New Norcia, 132km north of Perth.

The sale is yet to be formally completed, but it is believed the 7975ha property was valued between $35 to $40 million dollars around the time of being listed.

Tattarang chief investment officer John Hartman said Harvest Road was committed to protecting and enhancing the iconic property’s status as some of the best farming land in Western Australia.

“We pay tribute to the outstanding stewardship of the Benedictine community that has preserved the exceptional productivity of the land for almost two centuries, and we are committed to further developing the Farm’s productive capacity,” Mr Hartman said.

“We know this is an iconic place with an unbroken 175-year agricultural legacy that has helped support generations of regional farming communities.

“We are committed to investing into New Norcia’s future and we look forward to working with the surrounding shires to create new value for local communities and unlock long-term jobs.”

The Farm has formed part of Australia’s only monastic town since its establishment by Benedictine monks in 1847, but the sale of New Norcia Farm does not include the historic townsite.

Named after Norcia in Italy, the township’s stunning buildings are a cluster of grand Spanish-style architecture forming Australia’s only monastic town.

The Farm is regarded as “blue ribbon” land with an estimated 3,600 hectares of arable land in the renowned Wheatbelt region known for its high rainfall and quality soil types.

The planned transaction by Harvest Road is subject to approval by the Holy See.

Under Forrest’s operation, Tattarang will become the owner of the prized property where it will be integrated into their diversified agribusiness model.

Harvest Road (part of the Tattarang group) chief executive Paul Slaughter said New Norcia Farm’s proximity to the company’s Koojan Downs Feeding Facility will be strategically important once the Facility opens in early 2022.

“The acquisition of New Norcia Farm is the continuation of our significant investment into the future of Western Australia’s beef industry, and we believe it will play an important part in unlocking the transformational impact of the Koojan Downs Feeding Facility,” Mr Slaughter said.

“Together with New Norcia Farm, our network of integrated supply chain assets represents a game changer for WA and a strategic step to mitigate against changing climatic conditions, stabilising the local beef supply chain and enhancing the local economy through investment and local job creation.”

The New Norcia community has been shrouded in controversy with historical sexual abuse claims costing the Benedictine monks community millions.

When contacted for comment, the New Norcia community declined to comment on any details regarding the sale of the property.