The name Sunraysia was a marketing gimmick.
Something iconic was needed to explain what happens when you mix Murray River water with dusty soil in the warmest climate to be found in Victoria.
Unfortunately that Midas touch which followed a colourful Jack De Garis in the Mildura region, failed to shine on Murray River Organics.
Now it is someone else's turn to have a go.
That company, which once billed itself as the world's largest vertically integrated organic dried vine fruit producer, went into voluntary administration earlier in the year and now its substantial seven properties are on the market.
Agents from Colliers expect there will be buyers for the entire portfolio, there will be others interested in the individual farms.
Murray River Organics failed because its business failed, it was not the land's fault.
Receivers KPMG has asked Colliers to sell the Murray River Organics portfolio, comprising seven individual properties, six of which have been developed to permanent plantings, with the seventh used for grazing and cropping.
The portfolio includes the Merbein Aggregation comprising five individual properties.
They are at: 75 Alkira Road, Yelta, 45 Quandong Avenue, Merbein, 96 Honour Avenue, Merbein West, 393 and 459 Cowanna Avenue, Merbein and 309 Cowanna Avenue, Merbein South.
Together these blocks take in almost 90 hectares (22 acres) of which 78.2ha is planted to dried vine fruit.
Another two properties are part of the sale.
One is at Yatpool West Road, Carwarp, a 383ha (946ac) farm planted to 75.50ha of dried vine fruit.
Other areas of the farm are set aside for table and wine grapes but are not currently in production.
Finally, there is the big one at Brownport Road, Nangiloc.
It is a a 2509ha (6200ac) landholding with 113ha under centre pivot and 2396ha of cropping and grazing land.
"The MRO portfolio comprises seven individual properties that will appeal to a variety of different purchasers," agent Duncan McCulloch said.
"We expect the smaller holdings will be sought after by local farmers, with interest in the other assets from small to large fresh produce companies, and dryland farming operators in particular for the property at Nangiloc.
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"Given the scale of the offering, scarcity with which these sorts of properties are offered to market, and the development upside available to an incoming purchaser, we also expect there to be strong interest amongst portfolio buyers."
Agent James Beer said the portfolio represented a great opportunity for purchasers to acquire productive permanent planting assets with access to irrigation water and quality infrastructure.
"Mildura is well-known for horticultural pursuits and given the unique attributes of the opportunity, we expect the sale will generate signficant interest."
The Murray River Organics portfolio is being offered for sale in one line or as separate properties, with expressions of interest closing Tuesday, May 31.
For more information contact Duncan McCulloch 0416 047484 or James Beer on 0416 859565.
- Sunraysia was popularly adopted by entrepreneur Jack De Garis in 1919 after a local dried fruits organisation held a competition to pick a name for this oasis in the north. Sun-raysed was the winning entry.
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Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
