Wetlands going, going …: [1 Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 15 Feb 2002: 28.
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Abstract
The impact of Queensland cotton growing on the river flows, and therefore on the natural flooding of Narran Lakes and its environs, has been a touchpoint for environmentalists since the 1980s.
Agent John Peden of Elders says he does not believe the environmental controversy that has dogged Narran Lakes will have an impact on the sale price. A campaign to save the wetlands resulted in the Narran Lake Declaration being signed by a coalition of conservationists and farmers in 2000 in a show of co-operation between the disparate groups.
On the market:Narran Lakes, said to be `some of the finest cattle county’ in NSW; Photo: Photo
Full Text
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NARRAN Lakes, a 24,743ha cattle property that encompasses some of the most significant wetlands in NSW, is for sale.
The impact of Queensland cotton growing on the river flows, and therefore on the natural flooding of Narran Lakes and its environs, has been a touchpoint for environmentalists since the 1980s.
Its sister property, 14,652ha Bairnkine Station about 30km to the south-east, is also up for auction. Bairnkine has been in the McDonald family for more than 100 years and features eight kilometres of frontage along the Barwon River, an artesian bore, and a beautiful old homestead.
The two properties are being sold separately in one of the largest sales seen in north-western NSW for many years.
A third of the striking, almost totally flat landscape of Narran Lakes is subject to beneficial flooding.
The wetlands are recognised as internationally important breeding grounds for water birds and the centre of the lake is a nature reserve.
The sprawling cattle empire is being sold by the family after the death of Donald and Nancy McDonald, who lived on the properties for most of their lives.
Traditionally, the major enterprise was sheep. In the old days it took eight men six or more weeks to muster on horseback. Now it takes a matter of days by helicopter.
Low wool prices pushed a shift to cattle and to opportunistic cropping. Cultivation permits are in place on the flood water country.
Agent John Peden of Elders says he does not believe the environmental controversy that has dogged Narran Lakes will have an impact on the sale price. A campaign to save the wetlands resulted in the Narran Lake Declaration being signed by a coalition of conservationists and farmers in 2000 in a show of co-operation between the disparate groups.
“We have inquiries from organisations with a conservation interest who will be looking to maintain the status and environment of the lake,” Mr Peden said.
“But clearly, in doing so, there will continue to be farming opportunities because of the natural inundation of the surrounding area,” he said. “This is some of thevery finest cattle country in the state.”
While it will be a multi-million dollar sale, Elders are reluctant to put an expected price on the two properties both because of the diverse nature of the country and because there have been no comparable sales on the same scale in the district for as long as anyone can remember.
Illustration
Caption: On the market:Narran Lakes, said to be `some of the finest cattle county’ in NSW; Photo: Photo