Mortgagee auction of Windsor turf farm associated with Achilles Constantindis

A 100 hectare turf farm, owned by Achilles "Big Al" Constantinidis' company Checkling Pty Ltd, is listed for auction next month. 

The Windsor Turf holding is for August 9 auction by Ray White Commercial on behalf of receivers and managers, David Clout & Associates.

The property at 87 Cornwallis Road, Cornwallis, near Windsor, north-west of Sydney, has operated for more than 35 years on about 100 hectares of land beside the Hawkesbury River, said Karen Mychaelle Seeto of Ray White Commercial.

“The business is open for retail sales 5-1/2 days a week and is operated by an existing management and administration team as well as a farming team,” she told Property Observer.

The sale includes land, business assets, brand name, office and equipment.

“Adjoining the workshop area is a chemical storage shed, 4,000 litre diesel tank, wash down bay and a 10,000 litre poly water tank. There’s also more than 800ml of surface water access licences,” said Seeto.

Windsor Turf has lawns throughout metropolitan Sydney, Central Coast and Illawarra regions and sells turf to high profile projects and home owners.

“Clients have included Fox Studios, local councils, landscapers, government departments, golf courses, sports fields and home owners,” she said.

Constantinidis bought the land in October 2007.

The property has been for sale on and off since June last year.

The first mortgage is held by Equititrust, the Gold Coast finance firm once headed by Mark McIvor. There are numerous caveats on title including several from Rural Security Holdings, Syndicate Mortgage Solutions, and two from Alex Lankry.

Checkling Pty Ltd  faced proceedings by the NSW Office of State Revenue who claimed the company underpaid $720,715 in unpaid stamp duty. But the case was eventually found in Checkling's favour in 2012 leaving the state government department to pay costs.

The land is among around 17 polo fields in Windsor.