Historic Rural Property
Newcastle Herald
Saturday October 14, 2000
ROYSETON, a three-lot property with a 1km frontage to a beautiful part of the Williams River, has a special place in Hunter Region history.
One of its three lots, a vacant 4ha section, involves land where William the Fourth, Australia's first paddle steamer, was built and launched in 1831.
The land at the time was used by a timber mill. Royseton, which is about 1.5km from Clarence Town, came into being as a dairying property in the early 1900s and has a total area of 49.3ha.
It has been possessed by the McCrohan family for three generations.
The 4ha lot and another of 17ha belongs to Mr Ross McCrohan. A further 28.3ha lot is owned by his brother, Mr Scott McCrohan.
A spacious weatherboard and iron-roofed homestead style house that overlooks the river (it is 100m wide at this location) is on Mr Ross McCrohan's 17ha lot.
Built from timbers cut on the site, the approximately 100-year-old structure contains five bedrooms, and an enormous family/lounge room which looks down on the river. High ceilings, four fireplaces including two in bedrooms and verandas on three sides are other features.
It is a solid structure but needs work.
A large barn, a disused dairy building and a disused chicken shed also stand on this lot. The 120m long chicken shed is considered ideal for hydroponic farming or as a nursery.
Of particular note is that this 17ha has a 62-megalitre irrigation licence. Negotiations are underway for a larger pumping right.
The 28.33ha lot owned by Mr Scott McCrohan accommodates a 12-year-old brick veneer and tile house.
A Huxley Homes Entertainer design, it has a master bedroom with an ensuite and walk-in robes, three other bedrooms with built-in robes, and good living areas.
The house is on a well maintained site of about 1000sq metres. It also contains a Colorbond and clip-lock roofed double garage with a workshop and a smaller shed.
Mr Scott McCrohan is running 50 head of cattle on his part of the well pastured property. The section operated by Mr Ross McCrohan can take another 15 head, according to the selling agent, Mr Ray Paschetto.
CLARENCE TOWN
$1.5million
Address: 111 Fotheringay Rd.
House: A 49.3ha property with a 1km frontage to the Williams River. It contains two houses.
Inspection: By appointment.
Agent: Ray Paschetto, Maitland Heritage Real Estate, 4934-7771 or 0429 495658.
© 2000 Newcastle Herald
Share This