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Australian outback the size of England hits market for $325 million - the biggest property sale on Earth Australian land the size of England hits market for $325 million - the biggest property sale on Earth
(about 1 hour later)
The largest private, non-monarchical, non-state stretch of land on Earth is up for sale - and it has hit the market for $325 million.The largest private, non-monarchical, non-state stretch of land on Earth is up for sale - and it has hit the market for $325 million.
The vast Australian outback is more than three-quarters the size of England and yet only 150 cattle staff live there. The collection of Australian cattle stations make up 23,000 square kilometers - more than three-quarters the size of England - and yet only 150 cattle staff live there.
It has been in the family of Sir Sidney Kidman - a penniless runaway who became the country’s greatest pastoralist - for more than 100 years. The spread out properties have been in the family of Sir Sidney Kidman - a penniless runaway who became the country’s greatest pastoralist - for more than 100 years.
More than 600 horses mustered at Oaklands Downs in South Australia Now the 11 million hectares is to be sold to one of 30 bidders from around the world. More than 600 horses mustered at Oaklands Downs in South Australia Now the 11 million hectares is to be sold to one of 30 bidders from around the world, as reported by the Daily Mail Online.
So large, remote and spread out, it will take each short-listed bidder a week flying around on a plane to South Australia, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia to do a full property inspection of all the cattle stations.So large, remote and spread out, it will take each short-listed bidder a week flying around on a plane to South Australia, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia to do a full property inspection of all the cattle stations.
The Kidman property empire marked (above) on this satellite image of Australia is 101,000 square kilometres The properties are owned by S Kidman and Co, which was founded by Sir Sidney Kidman in 1899.The Kidman property empire marked (above) on this satellite image of Australia is 101,000 square kilometres The properties are owned by S Kidman and Co, which was founded by Sir Sidney Kidman in 1899.
The family, who own 98 per cent of the shares in the unlisted public company, are Australia's largest private landholders.The family, who own 98 per cent of the shares in the unlisted public company, are Australia's largest private landholders.
Anna Creek is considered to be part of a unique collection of properties demonstrating 'international significance' After inviting expressions of interest in April, S Kidman & Co has now sent out briefings to bidders from around the country and from China, the US, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, South America and Indonesia. More than half the bidders are Australian.Anna Creek is considered to be part of a unique collection of properties demonstrating 'international significance' After inviting expressions of interest in April, S Kidman & Co has now sent out briefings to bidders from around the country and from China, the US, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, South America and Indonesia. More than half the bidders are Australian.
With cattle prices currently high, the properties are considered 'a world class asset of international significance'.With cattle prices currently high, the properties are considered 'a world class asset of international significance'.
Sidney Kidman (right) stands with a horse buyer in South Australia in the early 1900s Despite reported rumours of bitter wrangling by family members who did not want to sell and talk of a 'carve up' of the land holdings, selling agent Ernst & Young South Australia's managing partner Don Manifold said the family who owned the 98 per cent shareholdings were now in agreement.Sidney Kidman (right) stands with a horse buyer in South Australia in the early 1900s Despite reported rumours of bitter wrangling by family members who did not want to sell and talk of a 'carve up' of the land holdings, selling agent Ernst & Young South Australia's managing partner Don Manifold said the family who owned the 98 per cent shareholdings were now in agreement.
He said: “There is some hysteria at the moment about foreign land ownership and I understand people's concerns, but this is a very well-managed cattle business and the Federal government and [three state and one territory] governments and the Foreign Investment Review Board will all be involved because we are talking about long term pastoral leases here.He said: “There is some hysteria at the moment about foreign land ownership and I understand people's concerns, but this is a very well-managed cattle business and the Federal government and [three state and one territory] governments and the Foreign Investment Review Board will all be involved because we are talking about long term pastoral leases here.
"It is extraordinary that it has been in the one family until the fifth generation, is debt free, consistently well run, prime cattle producer.""It is extraordinary that it has been in the one family until the fifth generation, is debt free, consistently well run, prime cattle producer."
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