The land holding known as 'First Springs' at 1009 Cookinburra Road in the Indigo Valley just east of Barnawartha and within easy reach of Wodonga comprising 40.20 hectares has been a labour of love for the vendor Rick Horne.
Rick, who hails from a farming background, ran (in partnership) his own accountancy practice in Wodonga but over his 20 plus years of ownership of this holding, has devoted his energies to improving both the productivity and the attraction of the property.
He calculates he has planted more than 14,000 deciduous and native trees on the property, obtaining approximately an 80 per cent success rate.
First Springs is dissected by the Kookaburra Creek and whilst it is a seasonal stream for most of the year it retains pools of water as ponds.
As the name of the property indicates, there are several springs on the property, one of which keeps a small stock dam filled.
There is another, larger, 2.5 megalitre catchment dam built to catch run-off with a contour drainage system to ensure a comfortable stocking rate.
Rick has fenced off the creek area and planted out the fenced areas, giving the entire holding a great presentation and appearance, especially as many of the trees have now reached 20 metres in height.
First Springs, with a four-paddock fencing subdivision, also has an as new set of steel cattle yards and crush.
Rick seeks to run about 40 heifers to grow out, which he can then offer to the market in calf.
"There are productive pastures on this holding now and sometimes I have run a bull that I like," Rick said.
"Owning this property has been a really enjoyable experience for me and takes me back to my original farming upbringing."
Other improvements that he has installed are two functional Colourbond steel buildings, one that is used for hay, with the second building used as a lock-up to store machinery.
It was always intended that First Springs would be built on as there are multiple attractive sites, subject to the relevant building approvals for rural living and lifestyle, as the property is reached by a sealed road from Wodonga or Barnawartha.
The location is about 10 minutes east of the multi-lane Hume Highway and about 15 minutes from central Wodonga by the local rural road network.
Rick now finds that he will likely need to return closer to Melbourne for family reasons so he has appointed agent Peter Ruaro from Rodwells Wodonga to offer First Springs for private sale now, asking for offers over $1 million or at auction on Saturday, May 15.
Mr Ruaro said there had already been enquiries about First Springs, with buyer interest confirming this is a realistic expectation for a delightful rural living and lifestyle opportunity.
AGENT: Peter Ruaro on 0447 600825 or 02 6024 6830, Rodwells Wodonga.
