RURAL VICTORIA’S No 1 NEWSPAPER - FREE EVERY THURSDAY
www.loddonherald.com.au
Loddon HERALD Vol 4 No 42, THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 , 2024 ISSN 2653-1550
GOLD RUSH
BIG TANKS
MEDALS OF
TO LOCAL
BRING WATER
LONG
VAN PARK
STABILITY
SERVICE
- Page 2
- Page 9
- Page 15
$m BENCHMARK Prime farming land fetches $3900 acre
A NEW benchmark price has been set for tightlyheld Loddon agricultural land.
The historic 1305-acre Longview property at Fernihurst sold at auction last week for $5.1 million. It was the first time in 152 years the property had been on the market as Rob and Colleen Coutts prepare for retirement. Successful bidder was neighbour and Concordia Merino Stud owner Bob Rollinson. Auctioneer Luke Nevins, of FP Nevins and Co, said: “Local buyers knew the land and knew its value.” More than 80 people were at the auction that saw three of four lots sold. Mr Rollinson paid $3900 an acre for the main Longview property that includes the historic Coutts family home dating from the 1870s. The auction opened with a vendor bid of $2200 and quickly reached the selling price. There were two active bidders for the property renowned for sheep and wool production. An initial vendor bid of $2500
By CHRIS EARL an acre for the adjoining Russ’s paddock fell just short before the auction resumed and the Knight family of Yando secured the 859.49 acres for $2.16 million, paying $2550 an acre. Lot three - Lewis’s of 323.05 acres including 70 acres of lasered irrigation land - had an initial vendor bid of $2500 an acre, a market offer of $2600 and a second vendor bid of $2900. The parcel was passed in and later sold privately. The fourth lot - George Franks’s of 235.81 acres - was passed in with negotiations continuing, Mr Nevins said. Mr Nevins said interest in the properties before auction had been from locals. “They know what this land can do. Property in the area is tightlyheld and it is rare for these farms to be put to auction,” he said. “These sales set a precedent for future sales in the area whether at auction or privately. “We were very happy with the interest and the price received for the parcels of prime agricultural land in the Loddon Shire.”
Steve Gartside prepares for Sunday’s Inglewood Alive! LH PHOTO
Time to show, shine and star in street BROOKE Street is ready to sparkle and dazzle on Sunday when thousands of people are expected at Inglewood Alive! The annual street festival will see Brooke Street crammed with stalls, activities and more than 200 old vehicles. Steve Gartside has been polishing Tony Hunt’s 1931 A
Model Ford for the Inglewood Car and Bike Club’s show and shine. “I’ve had hot rods since 1959 and built this one from the ground up,” Tony said. He said the club had more than 40 members across the region who were pleased to be part of the town showcase. An organiser Anne Marie Da-
vis said: “The festival promotes Inglewood, blending street activities with the wonderful antique shops and local cafes. This is the biggest day of the year and the development and tourism committee is ready for the fun.” Events will also include woodchopping and fundraising by local groups.
NEIGHBOURLY SWITCH - PAGE 5
Very Fertile Land Parcel Lot 7B, 11, 12, P14, C11, Kingower-Kurting Road, Kurting INGLEWOOD KURTING DISTRICT 128.6 Hectares equaling 317 Acres in 3 Titles Comprising 3 paddocks. Water from 4 dams with 2 WM Pipeline connection points available and one spring and seasonal “Hope Creek” water flows. Rich Red loam soil with timber shelter belts for livestock protection. Power close by, allowing for this allotment to be an excellent future homesite STCA. Land suited to all facets of the agricultural sector. 5 minutes from Inglewood and 2 hours from Melbourne. POA FP NEVINS DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ABOVE