ROSEMONT is the largest single citrus plantation in Australia, according to selling agent John Morris.

The 947ha property has 393ha of citrus fruit planted and has much room to grow.

    ROSEMONT
  • HILLSTON
  • Property: citrus orchard
  • Size: 974ha
  • Sale: by expressions of interest closing April 16
  • Price: about $17 million
  • Agent: Rodwells, Kerang
  • Contact: (03) 5452 1166

John said water was the main feature of the property, at Hillston in southern NSW, with a large supply of water from a Lachlan River entitlement and high-quality ground water.

He said the irrigation infrastructure at the property was also of a high standard, with use of the latest technology in low-level irrigation, serviced by two pump stations.

There is also a further 60ha of irrigation infrastructure in place for future plantings.

More than 200ha of the fruit was planted in 2002 and is expected to come into full maturity within the next three years.

A newly installed packing plant is operating at Rosemont and features a blemish sorter for low-overhead operations.

The property currently exports fresh fruit to Japan and holds long-term juice contracts.

John said Rosemont was an outstanding property with great potential.

"When all of the fruit is in maturity in, say, about three years, there will be approximately 25,000 tonnes of fruit being produced. So there's the option for people to come in and start producing and and distributing their own brand of juice," he said.

"There are a lot of opportunities that come with this property, especially with the quantity of fruit that's going to start coming on."

The owners of the property are retiring and Rosemont will be sold on a walk in, walk out basis.