The jewel in the Southern Highlands

An extensive parcel of land in the Southern Highlands at Berrima, once earmarked by Hume Coal for a mine, is now on the market to be sold in one line with offers over $60 million expected.

Ray White Rural sales agent Kim Watts said this was an opportunity for someone to secure extensive land holdings in the lush Southern Highlands area with close proximity to Sydney.

The seller Hume Coal is offloading its significant assets which consist of approx 1308ha, across nine properties including the historic Mereworth House on the outskirts of Berrima.

The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission recently rejected Hume Coal’s mine plan in the Southern Highlands, finding it posed a risk to Sydney’s underground water source.

Ray White Rural Parkes | Forbes | Condobolin agent Kim Watts specialises in high value rural property and water licence sales and is ranked in the top one per cent of Ray White Rural agents nationally. She has managed large scale rural property and water transactions all over Australia from her home base in the state’s Central West where her family’s pastoral and sheep stud businesses are based.

She has not been surprised to receive significant and early interest from some of Australia’s very high net worth individuals and notable corporations.

“I anticipate significant interest from a range of sectors including developers given that the majority of the assets on offer are located within Wingecarribee Shire's RU2 and E3 Zoning areas where minimum lot sizes of 40ha or 100 acres are listed as allowed with consent."

“Early interest indicates offers well above $60 million but I would not be at all surprised if buyers can see value well above that figure too,” Ms Watts said.

“The nine properties will not be sold separately, I can't stress that enough. My client will only sell in one job lot which includes nine properties located across Sutton Forest, Berrima, Mossvale, Medway and Hume Coals office's in Berrima township.

“The 1970ML of water licences are also on offer. Water can be purchased as a whole or in parcels as required however preference will be given to the successful land buyer.”

“I am confident that the volume of local interest will keep me very busy until the 30th”

The licences are part of the Sydney Basin Nepean Groundwater Source Zone 1, 2 and some in the Medway Rivulet.

Mereworth House’s occupancy dates back to 1820 when it was part of a land grant awarded to John Atkinson. This nine-bedroom home on 500 ha of prime grazing land was built in the French Provincial style with a stunning Mansard roof which is typical of French architecture between the 16th and 19th century.

Designed by the highly acclaimed architect John Amory who was also responsible for his architectural work at the historic ‘Rona’ in Bellevue Hill, this unique property sits amongst an expansive Paul Sorenson garden which reveals a complex palette of colours at this time of year.

Stage one of the buying process involves submitting a non-binding expression of interest by COB on September 30. Naturally the short time frame will favour conditions for local buyers where foreign interests may need delayed terms for FIRB approval.