ICAC to probe water dealings at Toorale Station

Justin McClure, President of the Australian Floodplain Association is one of many stakeholders pleased that controversial water management at Toorale Station has been referred for investigation to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Photo TWH

Locals along the river welcome long-awaited scrutiny into the water usage at Toorale Station, located at the junction of the Warrego and Darling Rivers, west of Bourke and upstream of Louth.

An investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will be held into the controversial water management practices at Toorale Station, including unmetered water diversions and “questionable” new water entitlements, after Member for Barwon Roy Butler formally referred concerns to the watchdog.

The historic Toorale property, was acquired by the NSW government in 2008 for the stated purpose of benefiting the environment at Toorale and downstream, with a focus on removing in-river earth structures that were deemed environmentally harmful.

At the same time, the Federal government acquired the property’s water rights with a view to increasing flows from the Warrego River into the Darling River.

However, the Australian Floodplain Association says the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder appears to be operating under a different set of rules than other water users in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Mr Butler said the allegations relate to potential serious corrupt conduct involving water infrastructure and environmental flows. […]

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