Horsham mining employee to fight three fraud charges

Victoria Police claim a Horsham mining company worker submitted documents under three different names, as he prepares to fight fraud-related charges.

A suspended mining company worker is preparing to contest three charges in court over allegations of fraudulently preparing and submitting project documents.

Murray Wilson appeared in Horsham Magistrates’ Court on Monday facing three charges of creating false documents in mid-2023, relating to a submission for the Avonbank Mineral Sands Project environmental effects statement.

The Weekly Times understands Mr Wilson had been employed as a stakeholder and community engagement officer.

Police allege Mr Wilson prepared and submitted documents in the names of three other people without their approval. A Victoria Police representative told the court there were 10 witness statements, with a total of 24 witnesses identified. The representative said a device was in police custody, but a cyber analysis could take six to 12 months.

Mr Wilson was represented by a Galbally & O’Bryan lawyer, who told the court Victoria Police had secured the device in February. The defence sought a contest hearing in mid-November.

Magistrate Kieran Gilligan scheduled a contest mention for October 8, and provisionally set a contest hearing for November 13, subject to witness availability.

A Mine Free Wimmera Farms sign near the WIM Resource proposed Avonbank project at Dooen. Picture: Rachel Simmonds

The Avonbank project is WIM Resource’s flagship mineral sands project based at Dooen, near Horsham. Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny approved the project in December, subject to meeting listed requirements. Resources Victoria accepted the mining licence application in March.

The project remains under statutory, having received more than 830 submissions.

WIM Resource director of projects Michael Winternitz confirmed in July that the employee had been suspended pending the outcome of the charges. He said the company would be making further public statements.

The Weekly Times has previously contacted Resources Victoria and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny’s office, both of which declined to comment.