The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has declined to investigate concerns raised by the Member for Barwon, Roy Butler MP, and the Australian Floodplain Association regarding the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s (CEWH) unmetered water diversions and new water entitlements on the Warrego River at Toorale Station. 

ICAC advised that: 

• The information provided was insufficient to support allegations of corrupt conduct by an NSW public official or agency. 
• The issues relate to procedural inconsistencies, policy disputes, and administrative decisions rather than dishonesty or deliberate wrongdoing. 

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) is the appropriate agency to address these matters. 

NRAR has since reviewed the concerns and found CEWH’s actions to be compliant. 

“This outcome fails our downstream communities. We now have a regulated river operating under an unregulated water-sharing plan. Those already impacted by CEWH’s decisions will be completely excluded from the conversation,” said Mr Butler. 

Mr Butler emphasised that when he referred the matter to ICAC, he recommended engaging an independent expert to assist with the investigation due to the complexity and significance of the issue. 

“We cannot have two sets of rules—one for government agencies and another for farmers and river communities—when the Water Management Act makes no such distinction,” said Mr Butler. 

He warned that public confidence in water governance is at risk. 

“These decisions do nothing to build trust. Accountability and transparency in water management are essential, and this precedent undermines both.” Mr Butler said.