This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
AAM Investment Group has submitted a tender to take control of the former Longreach Pastoral College site in Western Queensland.
AAM lodged a tender to the Queensland government, on behalf of a consortium of Australian agribusinesses, for the full 17,511-hectares of land, which includes Rosebank Station, the college site, modern classroom facilities and agricultural infrastructure.
“We want to help ensure the gap that was left when the College was closed is filled with a facility we believe can be even better than before,” said Garry Edwards, managing director at AAM.
AAM is looking to see the site become a source of “knowledge sharing and education servicing” to the sector, after Longreach Pastoral College was closed in 2019, following 50 years of operation.
“Throughout the tender process, which included consultation in Longreach where more than 50 industry stakeholders and members of the Longreach community showed their support, we’ve been heartened to hear the positive response to our proposal and the overwhelming sentiment that Longreach Pastoral College must be reinstated,” added Edwards.
The consortium will also explore opportunities for the site including tertiary learning, veterinary studies, research and development, tourism activities, commercial farming enterprises and reliable employment opportunities for the region.
“We see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to coordinate the practical and strategic skills required to not only revive Longreach Pastoral College, but to also identify new ways to elevate the value the site delivers to the agricultural industry, community and broader Queensland economy,” said Edwards.
“This is a cause both myself and the consortium are deeply committed to as we genuinely want to make a positive and lasting contribution that will lead to transformation and value for all involved.”
The AAM-led group will also investigate education opportunities for school students who don’t have the chance for exposure to regional Australia or farming activities at the site.
“If the bid is successful, we look forward to working closely with the broader agricultural industry and members of the Longreach community to make the campus facilities available to as many people as possible,” concluded Edwards.
“The groundswell of support that we have received for our bid has been overwhelming, as the tender was submitted with the backing of more than 3300 letters of support.”
