General News
20 February, 2026
Fraud charges withdrawn against WIM Resource employee
Fraud charges against WIM Resource PL employee Murray Wilson, brought by Horsham Crime Investigation detectives, have been withdrawn after a request for an adjournment was denied.
A WIM Resource spokesperson acknowledged Victoria Police’s decision to withdraw all charges against its employee following the announcement.
"We respect the judicial process and note that the matter before the Court is now finalised with no finding having been made against the employee," they said.
"The Avonbank Mineral Sands Project remains subject to a comprehensive and independent regulatory framework and continues to progress in accordance with all approval requirements. WIM remains focused on delivering the project responsibly and transparently, and on working constructively with the government, regulators, and the community as the project advances.”
Mr Wilson's solicitors were expected to contest the charges at a two-day hearing set for February 18 and 19.
Instead, a last-minute decision saw Victoria Police withdraw the charges after a one-week adjournment was denied on February 16 at a special mention hearing.
The prosecution applied to the Horsham Magistrates' Court on February 13 for a one-week adjournment to prepare additional evidence.
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that charges listed for a hearing at Horsham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 18, were withdrawn on February 16 as it was determined there was insufficient evidence to successfully prosecute the person charged in relation to the matter.
The spokesperson said the decision was made after legal advice was sought during the court proceedings, resulting in Victoria Police making an application for an adjournment.
This application was refused by the court, they said.
"Horsham Crime Investigation Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the allegations," the spokesperson said.
Mr Wilson was originally questioned and arrested in February 2024 on allegations of fraud in relation to preparing and submitting documents for the proposed WIM Resource PL Avonbank mining project, and was charged in July 2025.
The charges related to creating documents on May 26, 2023, in the names of four poeple without their knowledge or permission, for the purpose that he use that document to induce another person(s), namely members of the Avonbank Mineral Sands project inquiry and advisory committee, to accept that document as being genuine and to influence the outcome of the environmental effects study.
The EES is a process used to assess a proposed project and provide an opportunity for community input through the submission process.
The submissions are then considered by a committee or panel, which reports its findings to the minister, who then considers the EES report when assessing the project's suitability for a mining licence.
The EES for the proposed Avonbank Mine was approved by the planning minister, Sonya Kilkenny, in December 2025, paving the way for a mining licence application by WIM Resource.
WIM Resource PL application is currently with the minister. The outcome is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.