South Tahara	Wagga Wagga NSW
Location Brochure Contact Agent FOR SALE by Expressions of Interest closing 10th June 2009 INSPECTIONS By appointment only

South Tahara is to be offered for sale by Expressions of Interest,
as part of the Four Arrows Group portfolio.  Tenders close Wednesday 10th June 2009.

Over the past 20 years the Four Arrows Group has established a large rural portfolio of property situated
on the Murrumbidgee River in the Riverina district
of Southern New South Wales.

The headquarters of this significant aggregation is the magnificent South Tahara – situated on the outskirts of the major regional rural city of Wagga Wagga.

The portfolio also includes North Tahara – 14,970 acres on the northern side of the Murrumbidgee River, virtually opposite South Tahara, Tubbo and Toronga Stations – totalling approx 162,000 acres, situated further west in the Hay district.

The motivation behind the aggregation was availability of water and accessibility to irrigation – South Tahara has 3,898MgL of irrigation water licenses.

It is a magnificent location for a flagship stud enterprise.

An ideal location

11km from the city CBD, and virtually adjoining the regional airport with its numerous direct daily flights to both Sydney and Melbourne, South Tahara is situated with a 6km frontage to the Sturt Highway which merges with the Hume Highway to the east, and is located approx 460km from Sydney and 440km from Melbourne via the Hume motorway.

The property adjoins the village of Forest Hills – the location of the Wagga Wagga regional airport and RAAF base, as well as a minor shopping centre.

The city of Wagga Wagga itself is also situated on the Murrumbidgee River and has an LGA population of approx 58,000 with the urban area being approx 52,000.

It is a major regional centre – and includes two defense bases (Kapooka & Forest Hill), the Charles Sturt University, an excellent range of primary and secondary schools, the regional Bomen livestock selling centre, a Cargills operated abattoir, as well as many other commercial, industrial and medical facilities.

The Farm

The Farm of South Tahara is a magnificent 6588 acre (2,666.25 ha) country Estate, bounded on the northern side by a 6.4 km frontage to the majestic Murrumbidgee River, a 6km road frontage to the Sturt Highway along its southern boundary, together with a number of ‘all weather’ roads running from the highway towards the river. There is also a 10km double frontage to the semi-permanent Kyeamba Creek.

Countryside

The countryside comprises approx 86% arable lands ranging from a large expanse of alluvial river flats to slightly undulating, well drained, slopes farming country. The balance of approx 600 acres (245ha) is very accessible slopes to low hill – ideal for pasture and grazing.

Cropping and pasture

Whilst the property is nearly all suited to farming it is currently being run as a livestock breeding and fattening and cash cropping enterprise. This year approx 890ha (2,200 acres) is sown to cash crops - 550ha (1,359 acres) wheat, 140ha (345 acres) barley and 130ha (320 acres) canola. A total of 1,640 ha (4,050 acres) has been sown to pasture. In the past 3 years there has been approx 300ha of new pasture established, including southern rye, phalaris, sub clover and lucerne.

Timber

It is its natural beauty which attracts people – the majestic river gums along the river and park-like coverage throughout including mainly yellow and grey box.

Climate, rainfall and water

The property enjoys a typical Mediterranean type climate, with warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. It has a 525mm average rainfall which falls predominately in autumn and winter. Water is a feature of the property with its magnificent River frontage and 10km double frontage to the Kyeamba Creek, together with 4 licensed bores and an excellent reticulation system supplying the paddocks.

Irrigation

3,898 MgL of water including 5 river irrigation water licenses (2,907MgL) and 5 bore licenses (991MgL). These underpin both the irrigation operation and its potential to be expanded, together with the livestock and domestic needs. There is 110ha (270 acres) of established irrigation - centre pivot and border check flood irrigation.

Carrying capacity

Apart from its outstanding farming capabilities the property is also a magnificent livestock breeding and fattening holding, ideally suited to both sheep and cattle. It is estimated to carry approx 3.5DSE per acre (23,000 DSE). It is a magnificent location for a flagship stud enterprise.

Staff accommodation

The farm is well equipped with staff accommodation and operating improvements – there is the outstanding Dullatur – 6 bedroom brick manager’s home, together with the 5 bedroom brick overseer’s residence, as well as 6 other cottages which are currently tenanted.

Operating improvements

The improvements include the modern 7 stand colorbond wool shed with ‘all steel’ sheep yards, and a well located set of ‘all steel’ cattle yards. There is also approx 800 tonnes of grain storage with grain shed and silos, 2 excellent machinery sheds and approx 8 hay sheds.

The Homestead

The Homestead is the focal point of the Tahara aggregation. Designed by leading architects Harvey Little and Alexander Michael, this Georgian inspired home comprising 3 stories and 13/14 bedrooms was built between 1989 and 1991. A separate French inspired orangerie pool/conservatory and business complex was also added in 1991.

The gardens were the inspiration of leading landscape architect Michael Bligh, and today cover approx 10 ha, surrounding the homestead ,and near to the Murrumbidgee River which meanders within 200m of the gardens.

The homestead comprising of 2,200sqm, is designed in three wings with the central and eastern wings providing family accommodation and both formal and informal living areas, whilst the west wing is a self sufficient 3 bedroom guest wing.

The homestead includes a magnificent library, 2 offices, formal and informal dining and sitting areas, a billiard room, gymnasium, spa and sauna. It is bounded on the northern side with large patio and verandah areas, overlooking the garden and river beyond.

Other features include;

• The magnificent scotch elms along sealed driveway
• The formal porte cochere
• Extensive ground and upper floor north facing terraced areas
• Intricate patterned timber parquetry flooring throughout
• Ornate wrought iron stair cases and chandelier
• European marble fireplaces
• Reverse cycle ducted heating/cooling throughout
• Water filtration system

The caretaker’s cottage

Sympathetic in design, it is a two storey, two bedroom residence in matching rendered brick.

The magnificent conservatory and business complex

Magnificent indoor 16m x 6m heated pool, with ornate sculpture pieces, change rooms etc. The adjoining conference and entertainment rooms, with a small commercial kitchen, lead to a covered outdoor pergola and trellis area, with barbeque and a synthetic grass tennis court with lights.

South Tahara Gardens

The homestead is set in 10ha of pristine gardens, watered by a computerized watering system. The gardens commence with the scotch elm driveway leading to the homestead, and feature;

• 1.5ha of manicured rye, Kentucky blue and fescue based English style lawn gardens with formal circular pond/fountains surrounded by the Four Seasons statues, and the majestic “stepped” waterfall cascading down to the rotunda at the bottom of the garden
• The northern side of the garden has a granite Ha Ha wall
• Magnificent Laurel hedges throughout
• Small irrigated woodlands area

Millennium Sunken Rose Garden (c1999)

With its central pond and three fountains perimeter walls, containing around 1,200 roses, all in pastel shades including lemons, whites and pinks.

Herb & Ornamental Potager

Producing fresh vegetables for the homestead

Magic Forest

Comprising poplars, silver birch and prunus, with a parterre rose garden featuring Red Lincoln roses and jonquils

Almond & Olive Grove

Stone fruit and citrus orchard. Also vegetable garden

Gardeners Shed

A large 290sqm modern steel framed colorbond shed, with separate kitchen and shower room facilities – concrete floor, hi-bay lamps, three-phase power and 40,000 gallon rainwater storage.

A Landbank for the future

South Tahara is situated on the outskirts of the city of Wagga Wagga. Already the area between the property and the city has mostly been resumed for either rural residential, commercial or industrial use. With its excellent network of roads, the property lends itself to subdivision, and with its proximity to the village of Forest Hills with its shopping centre and major airport, it is ideally located.

Fact Sheet

LOCATION