Skinny Dog Rise

Skinny Dog Rise is about 2 hours' drive from our Melbourne property.

The property is approximately 180 acres, and is bordered on 3 sides by forestry plantations, all on 99-year lease to a plantation company from the Victorian Government. At present, our new property is the only freehold land in the Sassafras Creek valley. Effectively, we have the valley to ourselves. It is very private.

The property is rectangular, with a road frontage of about 900 metres and a rear boundary of about 850 metres. From the road to the rear is about 1 kilometre. At its highest point, the property is about 550 metres above sea level. The lowest point, at the creek, is about 420 metres up.

Approximately 50 acres closest to the road is cleared pasture and newly fenced and gated, livestock ready. Another 20-30 or so acres can be made ready down the track.

A 20-acre pine plantation still exists. This will be ready for harvest in 8 to 10 years' time.

The balance of the property is natural woodland forest, of mainly blue gum and mountain ash. Access through the forest to the creek is by 4WD tracks, which were constructed when the forest was first cleared.

The property drops away through the forest to Sassafras Creek, which is a permanent running creek wholly contained within the boundary. Bordering the creek is temperate rain forest and a private waterfall is another fantastic feature.

The property boasts an abundance of wildlife including wallaby, wombat, echidna etc. We intend to operate the farm in peaceful co-existence, retaining much of the native forest.

As yet, there is no dwelling. That will be our first priority. We intend that the dwelling will be totally "off grid" and innovative. The ideal site for the house is close to the road, and at the highest point of the property. From this point, there are unobstructed 180 degree views across the Latrobe Valley to Mount Baw Baw.

The property is drought proof - being so high up it receives approximately 50 inches of rain per year. We understand that it can potentially have a high stock carrying capacity with appropriate farm management.

At this point in time, Skinny Dog Rise is a 'retirement project'. It will not carry permanent stock for some time, but it could use some sheep to clear out the paddocks and encourage grass growth (sheep eat anything!).

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