Deal profile | Gadens advises on sale of premier blue ribbon farming aggregation in Queensland’s Darling Downs

Gadens has advised Janerin Pty Ltd on the sale of a blue ribbon farming aggregation, comprising four cropping farms to leading Australian agricultural asset and portfolio manager, Growth Farms, on behalf of a private family office buyer, for an undisclosed price.

The Janerin Aggregation, owned by Hong Kong-based textile industry leader Alexander Woo, comprises four freehold irrigation properties spanning a total of 2,896 hectares in the Darling Downs region of Queensland. The Australian recently reported that the transaction was anticipated to attract offers of approximately $80 million.

The Gadens team advising Janerin Aggregation was led by Real Estate and Construction partner Andrew Mackenzie, with support from Senior Associate Wendy Cheng. The scope of work included providing advice on the disposal process, performing detailed vendor due diligence, structuring the transaction, managing stakeholders in respect of the significant water rights attaching to the farms and delivering completion of the deal within the required time frame.

Commenting on the transaction, Andrew Mackenzie said: “Mr Woo is a long standing client of the Firm, and we have proudly worked with the Janerin team in respect of the farming aggregation for many years. The sale of the Janerin Aggregation is momentous not only because it is a landmark asset in the Darling Downs region, but because it marks a major milestone for the Woo family and their decades of ownership. It has been a privilege to support them through the divestment of such a high quality agricultural enterprise.”

The Gadens Real Estate and Construction team provided expert legal advice on all aspects of the sale. The transaction was conducted by Ray White Rural agents Bruce Douglas and Matt Cleary.