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Description: DELIVERING scale, water security, and modern automation, this 25.63 hectare cropping enterprise - well suited to investors, operators, and agribusiness groups seeking proven horticultural performance - is presented by Jeromy Wainwright and Jacqui Walker.
LOCATION:
Riverdale Herbs is located 50 kilometres south-west of Brisbane and 21 kilometres south of Ipswich, in the Scenic Rim region of south-east Queensland, a region highly regarded for a diverse range of agricultural pursuits including horticulture, irrigated and dryland cropping and grazing as well as rural lifestyle living.
The Property is within easy reach of Ipswich, Brisbane, Boonah, and Gatton. Ipswich provides a full range services and amenities including shopping, finance, retail, education (primary, secondary and tertiary) and sporting as well as a variety of agricultural services
Presently focused on the cultivation of high-yielding culinary herbs and leafy greens, there is also an opportunity to increase production and diversify into a range of other crops such as capsicums, chillies, strawberries, Asian vegetables and tube stock seedlings for trees and shrubs. Due to the setout options available in the greenhouse, a wide variety of crops are able to be grown, and planting ratios easily adapted and modified to suit customer demand. This farm presents an excellent opportunity for entry, expansion or diversification into protected cropping and automation which defines the future of sustainable agriculture.
GROWING AND PACKING, AND OPERATIONS:
The enterprise operates year-round, ensuring a consistent production throughout the year. The crops are harvested, processed and packed either in the greenhouse or in the purpose-built packing shed. Processed product is stored in the cool room, preserving the quality and freshness of the herbs before being transported to distribution centres, end markets or directly to the Rocklea Markets.
There are six growing houses within the greenhouse comprising, a seedling area, 6 bays of moving gullies, four NFT areas and two sections of ebb and flow rolling benches. The greenhouse is climate controlled and fully automated with retractable walls, roof and solar shields. Outdoor production areas consist of 3,250 metres of rolled steel gutters supporting a hydroponic coir grow bag system.
MANAGEMENT:
Guiding our operations with expertise and precision is the experienced General Manager. With nine years of hands-on experience in agricultural management, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. His proven track record includes project management of Cravo construction, successful oversight of various horticultural improvements on the farm, demonstrating a keen understanding of crop cultivation, water resource optimization, and operational excellence. Backed by his commitment to innovation and sustainability, our General Manager ensures that every facet of our business operates seamlessly, guaranteeing your investment's growth and prosperity.
The management team is backed up by a primarily sourced local workforce, who are knowledgeable, well trained and reliable. Being in close proximity to Brisbane, there is also a large backup workforce of working holiday visa / backpackers for additional labour in busy periods.
SOIL TYPES AND TOPOGRAPHY:
Soil types comprise black alluvial river flats with a mix of red soil and sandy loams. These have been identified to be highly suitable for pasture, citrus, and other tree crops. due to the beneficial drainage capacity of the soils.
Topography is generally level across the landholding, with elevated portions to the eastern boundary, ranging slightly from 42 to 48 metres above sea level.
FENCING:
Boundary fencing of the property includes timber posts with four to five barbed wires in good condition. Sub-divided into two main grazing paddocks, with secure fencing surrounding the greenhouse.
LAND USE:
The Property comprises a highly productive irrigated mixed herb cropping enterprise which has been extensively developed. The main growing area is a 6,743 Square Metre greenhouse producing prime culinary herbs, forming the highest and best use of the operation. The balance of the property is arable land.
Farming operations are focused on the year-round cultivation of culinary herbs alongside opportunity grazing.
--- Hydroponic Site: 0.72 hectares, 3%
--- Water Storage: 1.30 hectares, 5%
--- Structures/Workshop/Sheds: 3.86 hectares, 15%
--- Grazing: 19.75 hectares, 77%
------ TOTAL: 25.63 hectares, 100%
WATER SUPPLY, DELIVERY AND IRRIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE:
Riverdale Herbs has a 50 megalitre Zone C Medium Priority water allocation from Normanby Gully via the Warrill Valley Irrigation Scheme originating from Moogerah Dam. A submersible pump on the creek pumps to the dam and then to the pump shed where media filters, a reverse osmosis plant and a Nutrilux UV sanitation system filter and treat the water before being applied to the crops. On farm water storage comprises a lined 5mg dam and 3 tanks with a combined capacity of 400,000 litres Treated rainwater supplies the pack shed, amenities and wash down facilities. All irrigation water is fully reticulated.
STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS:
--- A high set two-bedroom, one bathroom dwelling constructed of timber stumps and weatherboard clad walls and corrugated iron roof. Features an open kitchen/dining/living areas and outdoor areas.
--- A large modern Cravo greenhouse 6,743 m2 in area is constructed of steel frame, polyethylene clad walls and roof, earth floor and concrete footpaths. The greenhouse is distinguished by its state-of-the-art attributes, which features advanced fully automated and climate-controlled hydroponics technology. A weather station at the apex of the greenhouse feeds information to a Priva computer which controls the automatic opening and closing of the roof, walls and solar shields. Misters, fans and retractable solar shields assist in maintaining optimum growing conditions. An automated moving gully system moves the crops through the shed during their growth and harvesting stages. The green house is divided into sections including fixed NFT tables, moving gullies and ebb and flood rolling benches. A pressure washer automatically washes the gullies post-harvest before reloading onto the banker bay ready for replanting.
--- Beyond the Cravo structure, two standalone hydroponic grow bag systems, featuring 3,250 lineal metres of steel rolled gutter provide additional cultivation capacity.
--- A fully insulated nutrient/pump shed 216 m2 in area, constructed of concrete floor, steel frame, metal clad walls and roof, houses all pumping, sanitation and fertigation equipment. A Nutrilux, a low maintenance water treatment system designed for VU sanitation and for the dosing of nutrients is installed, along with nutrients tanks, pumps and an oxygen cone. A reverse osmosis system is also utilised
--- Seeding/potting shed of approximately 288 m2 comprises a fully insulated open span shed constructed of concrete slab, steel frame, Colorbond walls and roof, with power and lights. Utilised for preparing seedlings. Equipped with Urbinati automatic seeding machine with a maximum capacity of 450 trays per hour. Fast and precise, the seeder is suitable for both small and large productions.
--- Pack shed approximately 288 m2 fully insulated, constructed of concrete floor, steel frame, colourbond walls and roof. Incorporates storage area, packing area and coolroom for the storage of produce prior to being delivered to customers.
--- Administration facilities including a demountable style office accommodation partitioned into an office and staff facilities. Concrete floor, covered staff recreational area of 108 m2.
--- Machinery Shed
--- Supporting sundry shedding including an old shed utilised for storage
--- 200kva backup generator with automatic switching
--- 39kW solar array
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
The Property offering 25 hectares of arable land, secure irrigation water, existing infrastructure, and an excellent growing climate, provides significant development opportunities within a diverse and highly regarded agricultural region. Existing earthworks are in place to enable the doubling of the greenhouse area.
The Property is well positioned to support a diverse variety of horticulture and high value cropping pursuits including permanent crops, viticulture, livestock and annual cropping.
As the property is an easy drive from Brisbane, other opportunities such as tourism (on farm cabins, animal nursery), event venue, caravan storage, cooking school, food education could be considered.
NEXT STEPS:
Whether you're seeking to grow a high-value crop portfolio, expand a hydroponic business, or capitalise on existing automation, this asset is well positioned for immediate production and long-term development.
Night and day, Jeromy Wainwright and Jacqui Walker are available for your call or inquiry, and on-site inspection. SEE NOW!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
--- Road Frontage: Dunns Avenue
--- Creek Frontage: Normanby Gully
--- Local Authority: Scenic Rim Regional Council
--- Zoning: Rural
--- Services: Three phase power, NBN
--- Photography: some images containing grass have been digitally enhanced
--- Disclaimer: All care taken, however you are encouraged to independently verify all figures and indications.
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