Community shocked after Aboriginal rock shelter bulldozed for NSW power lines | Indigenous Australians
Indigenous community members have spoken of their shock and anger after an Aboriginal rock shelter was “damaged beyond repair” by contractors building transmission lines for the New South Wales renewable energy region.
The heritage site was destroyed by bulldozers in March during the construction of access roads to the Central West Orana renewable energy zone, a transmission line project located about 300km northwest of Sydney.
Acerez, the network company appointed by the state government to design, build and operate the infrastructure project, detected the damage during due diligence checks in May.
A company spokesman said processes to protect the shelter were “not fully implemented”.
“We are deeply sorry and offer our unreserved apologies to the traditional owners and the local community,” they said.
Public records of the site describe it as a 15-by-2-foot rock shelter that could provide “protection from rain, hillside currents, and westerly winds” and potentially contain archaeological remains.
Thomas Dahlstrom, a Wiradjuri Tubba-Gah and Gamilaraay citizen, said “emotions were running high” when he learned the shelter had been destroyed.
“I was shocked. I was angry,” he said, realizing now that “he’s gone and he’s not coming back.”
He said that a statement of remorse was not enough for people to learn a lesson, and that he hoped that heavy penalties would be taken into consideration and implemented.
Penny Sharpe, the state’s minister for climate change, energy, heritage and the environment, said she was “furious” about the damage. “This should never have happened and is completely unacceptable.”
Although the shelter was identified in the project’s approval conditions and the contractor’s heritage management plan, investigations were ongoing by the company and the state government into how and why the shelter was destroyed.
Project documents say “micro-positioning” to avoid or minimize impact to the site will be explored in consultation with an Aboriginal heritage expert prior to construction.
EnergyCo, the NSW government company responsible for delivering the renewable energy zone, said Acerez had failed to carry out its work in line with agreed management plans and heritage protection measures.
“These measures are clearly defined and must be strictly adhered to at all times. As a result, EnergyCo warned Acerez that it had not complied with its contractual obligations,” a spokesman said.
Federal independent MP Andrew Gee said he was “appalled” and called for Acerez’s chief executive to resign.
“This is the irreplaceable cultural heritage of the Wiradjuri. And it is an irreplaceable national cultural heritage,” he said, “and it is now gone forever.” “This is absolutely shameful and inexcusable.
“There’s an attitude at Acerez and EnergyCo that they can act with impunity because the NSW government is doing this. We want accountability. There needs to be an independent investigation into all of this.”
Grace Toomey, central ward councilor for the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. he told National Indigenous Times The damage highlighted the need for stronger Aboriginal heritage laws and damage penalties.
Dahlstrom, who is working on cultural heritage assessments for the renewable energy zone as part of environmental approvals, wants the company to recommit to appropriate engagement with Aboriginal communities and traditional owners.
It also appealed to the federal government for immediate and permanent protection of other heritage sites within the construction site, such as shelters and milling chutes. “Trust has been broken,” he said.
