The 6,000 hectares of land purchased by Hunter Water for the scrapped Tillegra Dam has been sold to a mix of local and Sydney residents.

 

Among the buyers is local hotelier Tracy Norman who has purchased the Munni portion of the Tillegra land. Included in her plans is the establishment of an Artisan cheese factory open to the public as well as a training centre for those wishing to learn sustainable farming practices.

 

Hunter Water received 32 expressions of interest for varying portions of the land, including five bids to buy 100% of the land. Ultimately after a sales campaign that was overseen by an independent probity advisor, the Board of Hunter Water agreed to sell the land divided into five lots ranging in size from 1,000 to 1,300 ha, and one separate parcel at 86ha.

 

Hunter Water Managing Director Kim Wood said the sale of the land had brought the matter to a close nine years after the former Government instructed Hunter Water to build Tillegra Dam. “With the Tillegra Dam issue finally put to bed, Hunter Water will focus its attention on expanding the pipeline connecting its water network to the Central Coast. To be done at a cost of $3 million over the next two years, the work will provide the Hunter with up to 11 billion litres of water annually should the region face a significant decline in dam storage levels,” he said.

 

Tracy Norman said her purchase of Tillegra land would allow her to build a cheese factory as well as a training facility teaching ecological agricultural pursuits complete with demonstration farms.

 

"Dungog is almost purpose built to attract the tourist market with its lush rolling hills and placement at the foot of the Barrington Tops. An Artisan cheese factory supported by a purpose built dairy farm will prove the perfect stop off for anyone travelling through the area.

 

"My plans will provide sustainable, long-term employment in Dungog, as well as encouraging sound land management practices.

It's an opportunity to have a centre of excellence at the historic Munni House providing potential tree changers with the knowledge and hands on training to learn the skills to establish their own organic farms in their area," she said.