ACEREZ Destroyed Aboriginal Rock Shelter Despite Knowing Its Significance

The renewable energy company ACEREZ has destroyed an Aboriginal rock shelter near Mudgee, despite knowing about its cultural significance. This incident has sparked outrage in the Wiradjuri community, with calls for compensation and accountability. They're demanding that the company takes responsibility for its actions.

The rock shelter, which was located near the NSW Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), was demolished by ACEREZ workers while they were clearing land to build power lines. The company had been made aware of the shelter's cultural importance, but it didn't stop them from destroying it anyway. They knew about the shelter, but they didn't take steps to protect it.

Thomas Dahlstrom, a Wiradjuri, Tubba-Gah and Gamilaraay man, worked on the larger REZ site, conducting Aboriginal cultural heritage assessments. He said he was devastated to learn that the company knew about the shelter but destroyed it anyway. He didn't expect the company to disregard the cultural significance of the site. A cultural management plan was put out to prevent disasters such as this. It was meant to protect the cultural sites, but it didn't work.

Mr Dahlstrom said he discussed the cultural sites with the company several times and stressed the need to block them off and barricade them from construction work. He told them that the shelter was important. The shelter would likely have been a refuge for a mother with children while they were gathering food. Its east-facing cave mouth would have protected those inside from the westerly winds. It's a significant loss for the community.

The destruction of the shelter has pushed Mr Dahlstrom to apply for federal protection over the site after seeking advice from his family and community. He lodged a section 9 emergency protection order application under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. He also submitted a longer-term section 10 bid simultaneously. He's hoping that the federal government will take action to protect the site.

A spokesperson for the federal environment department confirmed that it was assessing the requests. A Wiradjuri Elder from the Lithgow area, Aunty Sharon Riley, questioned what went terribly wrong in the process that allowed a mapped cultural site to be demolished. She said you would've thought that lessons would've been learnt from previous incidents, such as the Juukan Gorge incident in Western Australia. The values of the community should've been respected a hell of a lot more.

The chief executive of ACEREZ, Steve Masters, said he was bitterly disappointed by the incident. He said there hadn't yet been any discussion about compensation for the shelter's destruction. The NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said appropriate penalties for the company would be looked at once the state's own investigation concluded. They'll determine what actions to take against the company.

The incident has raised questions about the company's commitment to protecting cultural heritage sites. The company's actions don't show that they prioritize cultural heritage. As the investigation into the destruction of the rock shelter continues, the Wiradjuri community is waiting to see what actions will be taken to hold ACEREZ accountable. The company's apology is seen as a first step, but it's not enough to undo the damage that's been done. They can't just apologize and expect everything to be okay.

In the coming weeks, the federal environment department will assess the requests for protection, and the NSW state government will conclude its investigation. The outcome of these processes will determine the future of the site and the accountability of ACEREZ. For now, the Wiradjuri community is left to pick up the pieces and try to make sense of the destruction of their cultural heritage site. They're trying to heal from this loss.

The incident has also sparked a wider conversation about the need for companies to respect and protect cultural heritage sites. As Australia continues to develop its renewable energy sector, it's essential that companies like ACEREZ prioritize the protection of cultural heritage sites. They must work with local communities to ensure that their interests are respected. It's not just about generating clean energy; it's also about respecting the community's heritage.

The cost of the destruction of the rock shelter is not just financial; it's also cultural and emotional. The Wiradjuri community has lost a significant part of its history and heritage, and it will take time and effort to heal from this loss. The community won't forget what happened. As the community moves forward, it's essential that companies like ACEREZ are held accountable for their actions. Measures must be put in place to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

They can't let this happen again.

The NSW Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) is a significant project that aims to generate clean energy for the state. However, the destruction of the rock shelter has raised questions about the project's impact on local communities and the environment. As the project continues to develop, it's essential that the company prioritizes the protection of cultural heritage sites. They must work with local communities to ensure that their interests are respected. The company can't ignore the community's concerns.

The destruction of the Aboriginal rock shelter near Mudgee is a significant incident that has sparked outrage in the Wiradjuri community. The company's apology is seen as a first step, but it's not enough to undo the damage that's been done. The incident has raised questions about the company's commitment to protecting cultural heritage sites. The need for companies to respect and protect these sites is clear. As the investigation into the destruction of the rock shelter continues, the Wiradjuri community is waiting to see what actions will be taken to hold ACEREZ accountable.

They're waiting for justice.

No direct connection to Nigeria exists in this story. The incident is a local issue, and it's being handled by the Australian authorities. They're responsible for ensuring that the company is held accountable for its actions.