Unite to Reclaim: Australians Mobilize to Repurchase Iconic Woolnorth Farm from Foreign Ownership
Source: The DairyNews
Australians are coming together in a formidable effort to regain national ownership of Woolnorth, a historic dairy farm in northwest Tasmania, currently owned by Chinese billionaire Xianfeng Lu. Since acquiring the 143,500-hectare property for $280 million in 2016, Lu has gradually sold off parts of it.
He now seeks a buyer for the remaining 1,300 hectares, which includes a historic homestead, eight dairies, and a small wind farm.
Amid concerns that this vital agricultural asset might once again fall into foreign hands, a social media-driven crowdfunding campaign has been launched by James Bennett, creator of the 'Australia’s Page' on Facebook. The campaign has swiftly garnered significant support, with 6,000 expressions of interest recorded in just 32 hours. Bennett initiated the movement in response to his followers' desires to keep the farm Australian-owned.
"Woolnorth boasts some of Tasmania’s most magnificent coastline and was once Australia’s most productive dairy," Bennett noted, expressing optimism about the initiative's potential success based on prior campaigns for similar causes.
Woolnorth is not only famed for its productive land but also for having the 'cleanest air in the world,' a claim supported by scientific studies. The property also features 30 homes, a 13-stand shearing shed, extensive cattle yards, and numerous farm and livestock sheds, making it a cornerstone of the local agricultural community.
The push to retain Woolnorth under Australian ownership underscores broader national concerns about foreign control of critical resources. High-profile Australians, including entrepreneur Dick Smith and One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson, have voiced strong support for the campaign. Smith articulated the sentiment that keeping prime agricultural land Australian-owned not only secures national wealth but also supports domestic economic growth.
This national effort reflects a growing trend among Australians to safeguard their agricultural heritage and ensure that the benefits of their land remain within the country.
More information
Amid concerns that this vital agricultural asset might once again fall into foreign hands, a social media-driven crowdfunding campaign has been launched by James Bennett, creator of the 'Australia’s Page' on Facebook. The campaign has swiftly garnered significant support, with 6,000 expressions of interest recorded in just 32 hours. Bennett initiated the movement in response to his followers' desires to keep the farm Australian-owned.
"Woolnorth boasts some of Tasmania’s most magnificent coastline and was once Australia’s most productive dairy," Bennett noted, expressing optimism about the initiative's potential success based on prior campaigns for similar causes.
Woolnorth is not only famed for its productive land but also for having the 'cleanest air in the world,' a claim supported by scientific studies. The property also features 30 homes, a 13-stand shearing shed, extensive cattle yards, and numerous farm and livestock sheds, making it a cornerstone of the local agricultural community.
The push to retain Woolnorth under Australian ownership underscores broader national concerns about foreign control of critical resources. High-profile Australians, including entrepreneur Dick Smith and One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson, have voiced strong support for the campaign. Smith articulated the sentiment that keeping prime agricultural land Australian-owned not only secures national wealth but also supports domestic economic growth.
This national effort reflects a growing trend among Australians to safeguard their agricultural heritage and ensure that the benefits of their land remain within the country.
More information
