Investigation leads to stop work order at Toorale National Park

Stop work order has been issued on the operation of the Boera Dam River regulator in Toorale National Park. Photo TWH

Just a week after Member for Barwon Roy Butler referred corruption allegations regarding water usage at Toorale National Park to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, another investigation has concluded – with serious consequences.

A stop work order has been issued covering operation of the Boera Dam River regulator in Toorale National Park following an extensive investigation by the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR).

Chief Regulatory Officer Grant Barnes said NRAR issued the order on Wednesday, August 6, because the operation of certain water infrastructure allegedly did not fully account for water use, as required by the Water Management Act. Mr Barnes said many months of investigation into the complex situation on Toorale had concluded that even though the water infrastructure was operated according to National Parks and Wildlife Service operating and maintenance plans, it still did not account for all water taken.

“That means that some water has not been recorded, or debited against a water entitlement,” Mr Barnes said.

“It is a fundamental part of the water regulation system that all water taken is accurately measured and accounted for,” he said. […]

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