Allegations of wrongdoings continue to plague Gundaline Station, an irrigation farm covering more than 14,000 hectares east of Hay.

At the recent national Cotton Conference held on the Gold Coast in early August, rumours circulated of a group of disgruntled fellow growers, unhappy with Gundaline’s continuing myBMP certification.

myBMP (Best Management Practice) is Cotton Australia’s national accreditation system, aimed at ensuring that Australian cotton is produced according to best practice.

It is believed Murrumbidgee Council has launched an investigation into the alleged fuel spill at Gundaline Station, which was revealed in an exclusive report in The Riverine Grazier.

Anne Lyons, Murrumbidgee Council’s Media and Communications Officer responded to enquiries for updates, following the NSW Environmental Protection Authority stating local Councils are the regulatory agencies for such incidents, under the Act.

“We are unable to comment on the matter while it is under investigation,” Ms Lyons said, prompting assumption an investigation is underway.

Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton (above) has responded to The Riverine Grazier’s story last week regarding reports of a fuel spill at a district property.

“The allegations are incredibly serious and must not be swept under the carpet,” Mrs Dalton said.

"We cannot have a situation where foreign-owned agricultural enterprises act as if Australian laws do not apply to them.”

Reports have emerged that 11,800 litres of diesel fuel spilled at Gundaline Station, east of Hay, and was drained into a main irrigation channel. Management company Customised Farm Management (CFM) denied the report, which was delivered to The Riverine Grazier, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), SafeWork NSW and NSW Fisheries.

Allegations of a deliberate cover up of an environmental disaster has arrived at the doorstep of The Riverine Grazier.

The report was delivered by mail early in June, and alleges a cover up of a fish kill event at Gundaline Station in late 2022, but farm managers deny any wrong-doing.

NSW agencies and local council say they were unaware of the incident.

The owners of Gundaline Station are facing serious allegations from former employees about their management practices, particularly in relation to staffing and biosecurity measures, but have strenuously denied any wrong doing.

“All such allegations are utterly unfounded,” a spokesperson from Smart Shirts said.

Four employees resigned in September 2023, and shortly afterwards long-term employees were made redundant, following disputes over hours worked and safety conditions.

"Some staff were told last month they had (unknowingly) worked too many hours and the business was now in breach of the modern slavery act and supply-chain policies, which would put Gundaline Station's contracts in jeopardy when the auditors and compliance teams turn up," one source said.

Chinese clothing manufacturer Smart Shirts Ltd has purchased Gundaline Station, Carrathool, from Dutch company Optifarm, in a deal worth $120 million, as Sentaor Perin Davey calls for transparency over the sale.