4 December 2025

MEDIA RELEASE: ICAC Decision on Warrego River Water Management
Raises Serious Concerns

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.