Lord Michael Hintze sells massive northern NSW farm, Warrane

A 7600-hectare northern NSW farm has been sold to Origin Energy for a figure well in excess of the $35 million price tag. See the details.

An Australian expat UK hedge fund manager’s mighty 7600ha northern NSW livestock farm has been sold to major Australian energy retailer, Origin Energy.

London-based Lord Michael Hintze, via MH Premium Farms, has sold his expansive livestock property, Warrane, located 18km northwest of Armidale in the NSW New England region.

Origin Energy has purchased the property with settlement due in several weeks.

It is understood the existing farmland will be used alongside a potential wind farm and other renewable energy projects.

Warrane was listed for sale in March this year, where it was estimated to achieve offers more than $35 million-plus. It is understood the property has sold for a figure well in excess of this guide due to the additional value of a potential renewable energy project.

A circa-1910 five-bedroom, three-bathroom homestead stands at Warrane along with a new manager’s residence, and staff accommodation

LAWD senior directors Col Medway and Danny Thomas handled the sale where the property received interest from several renewable energy companies and existing large-scale grazing operations.

The property is located in the New England Renewable Energy Zone, which has an intended network capacity of 8 gigawatts.

In late 2007, Lord Hintze purchased the property for a reported $22 million in a leaseback arrangement on his way to accumulating a 17-property Australian agricultural portfolio, after founding hedge fund CQS in 1999.

Lord Michael Hintze’s MH Premium Farms comprises 17 properties across 70,000 hectares.

In recent seasons the property was producing a combination of beef cattle, prime lambs and merino wool with a carrying capacity of 58,000 dry sheep equivalent.

The property was also marketed with clearing permits granted for 2027ha, of which 325ha has been completed.

Meanwhile a NSW farming family and one of Australia’s biggest landholders have partnered to purchase a 18,500ha central Queensland cattle station.

Rural Funds Management and the Caldwell family from Milwillah Angus on the NSW South West Slopes, have taken an equal share in Wyseby, located 62km south of Rolleston.

The Caldwell family will operate the property, after the Pedersen family offloaded the station in a deal worth a reported $60-$70 million.

The neighbouring 17,500ha Rewan station was purchased by Rural Funds Management in an off-market deal with the Veivers family in 2016.

In a separate deal the 1708ha Argyle aggregation, located 40km northwest of Yass, has also been reportedly sold for more than $33 million.

893ha Argyle was purchased by Yarrawonga Merino stud’s Steve Phillips while the 815ha Green Gables was sold to neighbour Angus Metcalfe.