#Australia - ‘Gone forever’: political anger after #NSW #Aboriginal #HeritageSite bulldozed for power lines

The #RockShelter was destroyed by contractors building #TransmissionLines for the Central-West Orana #RenewableEnergyZone

Petra Stock
Wed 27 May 2026

"#Indigenous community members have described their shock and anger after an Aboriginal rock shelter was 'damaged beyond recovery' by contractors building transmission lines for a #NewSouthWales renewable energy zone.

"The #HeritageSite was destroyed by bulldozers in March during the construction of access tracks for the #CentralWestOrana renewable energy zone, a transmission line project located about 300km north-west of #Sydney.

"The network company #Acerez, engaged by the state government to design, build and operate the infrastructure project, discovered the damage in May while undertaking due diligence checks.

"A company spokesperson said processes to protect the shelter 'were not fully implemented'.

" 'We are deeply sorry and apologise without reservation to the #TraditionalOwners and to the local community,' they said."

Read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/27/aboriginal-rock-shelter-destroyed-power-line-contractors-nsw-renewable-energy-zone-ntwnfb

#IndigenousAustralians #ProtectTheSacred #IndigenousNews

"The Central West Orana #RenewableEnergyZone (REZ), based around and to the east of Dubbo, will deliver at least 3 gigawatts of new #wind and #solar generation, as well as storage, although this could be increased to 4.5GW.

It is one of at least five such zones designed to deliver enough #renewables and #storage to replace the state’s ageing coal fired generators."

https://reneweconomy.com.au/eis-lodged-for-australias-first-renewable-zone-greens-lament-compulsory-acquisition/