Australia’s S. Kidman & Co. has announced that it has decided to separately sell its Anna Creek cattle station after deciding to split its portfolio, according to Beef Central. The decision to divest Anna Creek, which accounts for almost one quarter of S. Kidman’s total land area, has been undertaken with the goal of easing government concerns that the sale of Anna Creek would be detrimental to the nation’s best interest due to the location and massive size of the property.

 

Last month, Australia’s Foreign Investment Review board (FIRB) voiced concerns over the sale of the portion of Anna Creek that falls within the country’s “green zone” of the Woomera Prohibited Area to overseas bidders.

 

Existing S. Kidman shareholders will be first to be given the option to purchase the 23,677 square kilometer property, with Greg Campbell, S. Kidman & Co. managing director, confirming that Anna Creek will be sold either to existing shareholders or other Australian buyers in an independent transaction.

 

The company will also continue to pursue the sale of the remaining 75% of its holdings, with 99% of the remaining land area to be sold as pastoral leases, meaning ownership will continue to be held in Australian ownership, according to The Land