Arabic version: تدمير ملجأ صخري أصلي أثناء بناء خطوط الطاقة في نيو ساوث ويلز

An Indigenous rock shelter has been destroyed by contractors building transmission lines for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone near Mudgee, New South Wales. The heritage site was bulldozed in March during the construction of access tracks for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone, approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Sydney. The damage was discovered by the network company Acerez in May while undertaking due diligence checks. According to The Guardian, Acerez acknowledged that processes to protect the shelter were not fully implemented.

Community members have expressed their shock and anger over the destruction. Thomas Dahlstrom, a Wiradjuri, Tubba-Gah, and Gamilaraay man, shared his emotional response, stating he felt a mix of shock and anger upon learning that the shelter was “damaged beyond recovery”. He emphasized that a mere statement of regret from the company is insufficient and called for harsher penalties for such actions.

Penny Sharpe, the state’s minister for climate change, energy, heritage, and the environment, voiced her fury regarding the incident, deeming it unacceptable. Investigations by both the company and the state government are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the destruction, which occurred despite the shelter being identified in the project’s approval conditions and in the contractor’s heritage management plan.

EnergyCo, the NSW government corporation overseeing the renewable energy zone, stated that Acerez failed to adhere to the agreed management plans and heritage protection measures. Independent MP Andrew Gee condemned the situation as appalling, calling for the resignation of Acerez’s chief executive and highlighting the need for accountability and an independent investigation. Grace Toomey, a councillor for the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, underscored the necessity for stronger Aboriginal heritage laws and penalties for such damage.

Dahlstrom, who previously worked on cultural heritage assessments for the project, has applied for emergency protection for other heritage sites within the construction area. He articulated a desire for better engagement between the company and Aboriginal communities, stating that trust has been broken.