WA farms on show in China

Property agents Landmark Harcourts laid out an estimated $50 million worth of agri-investments to eligible Chinese investors and industry stakeholders on Tuesday as part of a dedicated agricultural property showcase.

Property Showcase China 2015 - Connect with Australia features 10 properties - three from Queensland, two each from New South Wales and WA and properties in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania - in Shanghai, which will run until Sunday.

Landmark Harcourts WA agent Simon Cheetham, who represents two properties worth a combined $15 million, said while the showcase gave the properties involved a great level of exposure, it also helped to develop long-term relationships with investors and assist them in assessing the properties most suitable for them.

"With the large amount of wealth that has been created in China over the past decade, we have seen many investors in a position to finance large, long-term projects such as agriculture," Mr Cheetham said.

"Buyers looking for a safe investment which will deliver a respectable rate of return through leasing land to local farmers would do well to consider both Gum Park and Yerbillon Park.

"Buyers looking to manage the properties themselves and crop cereals, legumes and oilseeds and/or graze livestock on a large scale in a pristine, healthy environment could do very well."

Mr Cheetham said both WA properties were broadacre cropping concerns of more than 9,000ha each.

"Both farms have been operated and built up with pride and care. The infrastructure on the properties is very good, with significant amounts spent on housing and grain storage in both instances and access to bitumen roads," he said.

Gum Park in Nungarin is owned by John Shadbolt, and has been farmed by the Shadbolt family for the past century.

Yerbillon Park is a quality versatile farming operation in Westonia, owned by the Della Bosca family.

For Victorian agent Paul Reid, it is the second time he will present a property at the China showcase.

"China has seen a huge amount of growth in wealth and demand on the agriculture sector," he said.

"The showcase will present unique Australian properties to Chinese investors, which could boost the outcome for vendors that they would otherwise be unlikely to achieve from local investors.

"In addition, Chinese investors have access to advice from local Chinese agents and I believe this increases the trust, which in the Chinese culture goes a long way in securing a sale for our vendors."

Mr Reid will be presenting diverse farming property Bunyarra, worth upwards of $7 million.

The 511ha property comprises 8.5km of Murray River frontage, five houses, a camping ground and a diverse range of incomes, including sand extraction, cropping, beef and dairy cattle.

"Bunyarra offers an investor great potential and will attract someone who is looking to live on site and run or manage the different aspects of the property," he said.

Landmark Harcourts chief executive Mark Brooke said it was the third year the company had showcased Australian properties in Shanghai in this format.

"Our mission in 2015 is to showcase large-scale agri-investment opportunities from regional Australia to assist the sector expand its production base and capitalise on emerging market opportunities - the showcase will help us achieve this," Mr Brooke said.