Owners of the former Burdekin Agricultural College near Townsville looking for a new operator of the site
A shortage of skilled workers on Queensland farms has motivated the owners of a former agricultural college near Townsville to look for a new operator for the campus.
The property, located at 1450 Barratta Road, Upper Haughton, was the home of the Burdekin Agricultural College but was sold by the state government in May 2013 to a well-known local farming family headed by Ricky and Kerri Mio for $5 million. They also bought the surrounding farmland in a separate sale.
Since then, the couple has run their venture Claredale Pastures from the combined site, which includes a working cattle and sheep station as well as small crops and sugar cane.
But they have decided to sell or lease the five-hectare, fully equipped campus, about 80 kilometres southwest of Townsville, with hope of attracting an agricultural training provider. Although the agents say that the unique property would suit a variety of other uses.
The property’s many buildings have a total floor area of 8500 square metres, including dormitory style accommodation, an administration block that includes 120-seat auditorium, a gymnasium hall, villa accommodation, a commercial kitchen with dining hall and a multi-purpose building.
It also has a fully functioning equestrian centre and the popular Windmill Café, which has a “paddock to plate” ethos and according to many the best lemon meringue pie in the district.
The listing comes on the back of the announcement late last year by the state government that Queensland agricultural training colleges, with facilities in Emerald and Longreach, will close at the end of 2019.
Selling agent Tony Parker of Ray White Commercial Townsville, said while the campus was suitable for a variety of uses – including as a health retreat, a corporate training centre or an educational camp – the lack of trade-level agricultural workers in the region was one of the vendors’ main motivations in looking for a new operator.
“They would love to see it as an agricultural training facility again because all of the farmers are struggling for labour,” Mr Parker said.
“The whole agricultural area is finding it very difficult to get staff.”
Ray White Commercial Townsville’s Peter McCann said the owners were even happy to assist the new owner or leaseholder by providing real-life experience to students on their large network of farms.
The property also comes with outdoor and fully enclosed basketball courts, two tennis courts, a large sports field, a dance studio, and an inground pool.
Mr Parker said the owners were open to negotiate on price because of the potential benefits to the region.
“They are looking to hand over the reigns to someone. They are motivated so they can concentrate on their core business, which is farming,” he said.
“They want to work with whoever the operator is so they can do what they can to help the region.”
