Victorian legal eagle to sell landmark Western District farms

The owner of a Victorian farming empire has listed 1200ha of “powerhouse” grazing and irrigation farmland near Hamilton. See the details.

Condah Hills, located south of Hamilton, has been listed for sale by Dunkeld Pastoral Co.

Prestigious large-scale grazing and irrigation farmland in Victoria’s famed Western District has been listed for sale by one of Australia’s most prominent barristers.

Dunkeld Pastoral Co., the agricultural enterprise of renowned legal eagle and businessman, Allan Myers AC KC and family, is selling the 1208ha Condah Hill properties, located about 40km south of Hamilton.

Dunkeld Pastoral is selling to consolidate its agricultural holdings around its base further north surrounding Dunkeld, at the foot of the Grampians.

Offered to the market are two holdings, the 1083ha Condah Hills, at 190 Treloars Rd, and a neighbouring support property known as Condah Dairy (about 125ha) at 108 Butter Factory Rd, are less than 200m apart.

No price guide has been given for the property, due to a lack of comparable assets which have hit the market in recent years.

Dunkeld Pastoral acquired Condah Hills about six years ago from the Davis family, transforming the mixed farming property into a premium asset during its tenure.

In recent years the farm has been used for cattle breeding and as a finishing block. Silage and hay was also produced on farm for feeding out over the summer and winter.

Allan Myers AC KC and family are selling Condah Hills via his Dunkeld Pastoral Co. Picture: Aaron Francis.

JLL Agribusiness agents Jock Grimshaw and Chris Lawlor are handling the sale via expressions of interest closing on May 17 at 4pm. Condah Hills and the Condah Dairy are for sale in one-line or separately.

“Condah Hills is a marquee Western District holding, positioned as a true production powerhouse,” Mr Grimshaw said.

“The past five to six years have seen extensive capital works undertaken across the property – from irrigation upgrades to pasture renovation, structural improvements, and subdivisional fencing – creating a genuinely turnkey asset.”

Mixed farming pursuits are possible on Condah Hill including beef, and hay and silage crops.

Condah Hills also offers significant irrigation capability with about 80ha under centre pivot irrigation and scope for further development. Secure water entitlements totalling 1155ML annually support both irrigation and livestock operations.

“It provides a significant buffer against climatic risk and enhances both operational and financial performance,” Mr Grimshaw said.

“This is a landmark listing in one of Victoria’s most prestigious agricultural zones – a fully developed, high-performing asset with unmatched production versatility and long-term value,” Mr Lawlor said.

During Dunkeld Pastoral’s tenure, a systematic pasture improvement program has been completed, with about 80-90 per cent of paddocks renovated plus annual fertiliser application and a pasture management regime.

About 80ha at Condah Hills is under centre pivot irrigation with scope for further development.

There is also a 1000-head feedlot, weighbridge, centralised laneway system, multiple machinery, grain and storage sheds, a hangar, and three well-appointed residences — a main homestead and two separate manager’s residences at Condah Hills.

The nearby Condah Dairy also offers secure water resources ready for strategic development, including scope for irrigation.

Born in Hamilton and raised in Dunkeld, Mr Myers’ Dunkeld Pastoral runs more than 12,700ha in Victoria’s Western District, including premier assets like the 4000ha Corea South Aggregation of 5 farms and 2406ha Blackwood holding.

Last year Mr Myers offloaded a portion of his renowned 386,000ha Northern Territory cattle station aggregation, the Tipperary Group of Companies, in an off-market deal.