That magnificent historic landmark, the waterfront Maclean property currently occupied by the Clarence River Fisherman’s Co-op, is being offered For Sale with Expressions of Interest now invited.
The site has a long history. Commercial fishing started on the river during the 1800’s; the Clarence River Fishermen’s Cooperative being formed in 1945. By 1949, the Cooperative had established its present depot in the former premises of
the Maclean Cooperative Dairy Company, Maclean, where it
stands today.
Now, after 74 years of operating from this site with Australian seafood being in such high demand ; the Fisherman’s Co-op has become too Big a Fish in a Small Pond and
they’ve decided to relocate it’s Maclean Head office to a more modernized, efficient and streamlined facility; of course still located closely to the heart of Maclean.
The time to upgrade has come; the business must relocate leaving vacant buildings, to create unique opportunity of new usage for this prestige site.
51-55 River Road Maclean offers one of the largest commercial sites in the area, consisting of 7,520m2 of flood free level land on the Easterly/Yamba side entrance to
Maclean. Comprising three titles; the main factory site is zoned ‘Special Purposes’, the others a large house and a vacant block are both zoned ‘Residential’.
Facing the Mighty Clarence River, the property overlooks that enormous expanse of water and still enjoys historic rights of use through Permissive Occupancy to a commercial wharf still in place.
Such water access facilities are near impossible to get these days and similarly, large riverside sites such as this one is very rare. the level of Maclean Town’s ‘flood wall’, thereby avoiding many of the problems associated in building on Maclean’s flood plain. Maclean, once a sleepy historic village is becoming ‘West Yamba’, as more and more people become dislodged by unaffordable Yamba prices and instead, embrace the charm and character of this close-by historic riverside village.
Property in and around Maclean is increasingly in hot demand, especially when situated a leisurely riverside walking distance to the village main commercial areas with shops, clubs, medical services, a local hospital and playing fields.
Located right behind the Co-op site and under construction is a master-planned,
state-of-the-art community development. It comprises of 148 large residential lots ranging up to 1,143 square metres in size; including 7 Duplex lots plus 22 elevated Town-home lots. Named ‘River Glen’, this development currently selling allotments which will create a huge increase in population to this semi-rural setting.
Meanwhile, this end of Maclean lacks any retail or consumer services apart from the Co-op’s own fish shop and the only other petrol station in town! With such a captive residential ‘audience’ building in behind it, our Co-op site has many possibilities apart from simply remaining a factory or becoming another conventional small residential lot sub-division.
For instance, in Yamba the Uniting Church are constructing a 4 level over 50’s apartment complex opposite the Marina containing some 50 x 2 & 3 bed units. Many were sold off the concept plan within weeks at prices of up to $1.7mil for waterfront views and there is a waiting list for premium units.
What an opportunity for a similar project to be constructed on the Co-Op site!
Imagine 3 floors of top-quality reasonable size residential units with classy inclusions, offered at premium prices above – say – a tavern, a bistro/bar or some other retail services on the ground floor to service all that new housing behind? Add a crossing out front offering access to a revitalised wharf with bar/restaurant and ferry access – it’d sell like the Co-Op’s hot ‘Fish ‘n Chips’!
Of course, such a large site could instead be used for commercial factory/office units, retail shopping or other purposes and as it’s surrounded by old homes probably built in the early 1900’s and held 20+ years by the same families, they may also be ready to sell to deliver a developer an even larger site.
Dependent upon future use, a D.A. may be required and to assist a purchaser’s cash-flow. Co-op management proposes to stay in place with a lease-back arrangement for at least 18 months – giving a purchaser time to undertake the planning and DA process – whilst also receiving rent.
The Clarence Fisherman’s Co-Op Ltd is a major employer and sea food producer locally; historically receiving huge community backing, it is politically attractive to support by Council and Government. It is anticipated any purchase proposal that
maximizes the value of Co-op land in order for them to relocate locally instead of leaving the region, meet their long-term efficiency driven strategies and continue to operate, employ and contribute back into the local community will receive expedited consideration of the purchasers proposal.
Contact:
Warren Tucker
0417 440 007
warren@yamba-valley.com.au
