THREE local landowners have paid a combined record $52.5 million for one of the largest and most strategically located rural holdings in Western Australia’s Great Southern region.

The 11,262ha West Fitzgerald and West River Aggregation, midway between Albany and Esperance, comprised six properties offered by the estate of MP Slade.

With a capacity to crop and run high numbers of sheep, the portfolio includes the adjoining 1505ha Boccamazzos, the 1514ha Oakleys, the 3379ha Graingers, the 1631ha Bowlings, the 1516ha Dekkers and the 1716ha Fergusons.

A 1783ha portion of Graingers was withdrawn from the sale, with the estate electing to retain the land for lease.

The southern boundary of the aggregation neighbours the South Coast Highway, providing transport access to regional service centres, processing facilities, export terminals and local CBH receival points.

No price guide was offered when the aggregation was launched in September last year, but Elders agent Simon Thomas said properties of this calibre and scale are rarely brought to the market.

He was unable to disclose the buyers but said the final sale price exceeded expectations and set a new benchmark for the region following a strong marketing campaign dominated by locals and neighbours.

On an arable basis, the 6426ha achieved $8169/ha.

The West Fitzgerald and West River Aggregation has been historically operated as a conservatively managed Merino sheep enterprise, running around 10,000 head.

The soils include duplex, gravels and clays with areas of lighter and lake country.

Across the enterprise, 7781ha is arable, with the current cropping season growing 3280ha of barley and canola.

Infrastructure includes three residences, numerous sheds, several shearing sheds and sheep yards and several silos.

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