Indigenous rock shelter destroyed during NSW renewable energy zone construction
Consensus Summary
Three news articles report that an Aboriginal rock shelter in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (NSW) was destroyed by bulldozers in March 2026 during construction of access tracks for transmission lines. The shelter, identified in project approvals and heritage management plans, was located near Cope State Forest in the Mudgee district and was described as a 4x2-meter refuge with potential archaeological deposits. ACEREZ, the contractor, discovered the damage in May 2026 and apologized, while work was paused and investigations launched by both the company and the NSW government. Wiradjuri traditional owner Thomas Dahlstrom expressed devastation, stating the shelter was a refuge for gathering food and that cultural management plans were supposed to protect it. NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe condemned the incident as 'completely unacceptable' and demanded accountability. EnergyCo, the overseeing agency, confirmed ACEREZ failed to comply with heritage protection measures. Dahlstrom lodged federal emergency protection applications for the site and other heritage areas within the project footprint. The destruction has reignited calls for stronger Aboriginal heritage laws, compensation, and independent investigations, with comparisons drawn to the Juukan Gorge destruction in Western Australia.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- An Aboriginal rock shelter in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (NSW) was destroyed by bulldozers in March 2026 during construction of access tracks for transmission lines.
- The shelter was identified in the project’s approval conditions and the contractor’s heritage management plan, with plans to investigate micro-siting to avoid/minimize impact.
- ACEREZ (the contractor) discovered the damage in May 2026 during due diligence checks and apologized 'without reservation' to traditional owners.
- The shelter was located near Cope State Forest in the Mudgee district, about 300km northwest of Sydney, and was described as 4x2 meters with potential archaeological deposits.
- Work on access tracks was immediately paused after the shelter’s destruction, and investigations are underway by ACEREZ and the NSW government.
- NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe called the incident 'completely unacceptable' and demanded information from ACEREZ about the destruction.
- EnergyCo, the NSW government agency overseeing the project, stated ACEREZ failed to comply with agreed heritage protection measures and alerted the company of its contractual breach.
- Wiradjuri man Thomas Dahlstrom, who worked on cultural heritage assessments for the project, described the shelter as a refuge for gathering food and expressed devastation over its destruction.
- A federal section 9 emergency protection application and section 10 application were lodged by a traditional owner under the *Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act*.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Federal independent MP Andrew Gee called for the resignation of ACEREZ’s CEO and an independent investigation, stating the destruction was 'irreplaceable national cultural heritage'.
- Thomas Dahlstrom applied for emergency and ongoing protection for other heritage sites within the construction footprint, including shelters and grinding grooves.
- Dahlstrom stated, 'The trust is broken' and emphasized the need for stronger Aboriginal heritage laws and penalties for harm.
- The shelter was described in public records as providing protection from rain, slope wash, and westerly winds, with potential archaeological deposits.
- The incident occurred during construction of the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone, a transmission line project.
- ACEREZ previously faced criticism in 2026 for leaving about 60 native bird hatchlings homeless after felling 'ancient' trees for the project.
- ACEREZ CEO Steve Masters told ABC 702 Radio he was 'bitterly disappointed' by the incident and that no-one had been sacked, though it would be considered during the company’s review.
- A Wiradjuri Elder, Aunty Sharon Riley, questioned what went 'terribly wrong' in the process and called for compensation, referencing the Juukan Gorge destruction in Western Australia.
- The shelter’s east-facing cave mouth was described as protecting those inside from westerly winds, potentially fitting a woman and two children.
- The Aboriginal Site Recording Form noted potential archaeological deposits at a depth of at least 50 centimeters in the soil.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the shelter was destroyed in March 2026, while ABC does not specify the exact month but confirms the damage occurred during construction of access tracks in 2026.
- The Guardian mentions Thomas Dahlstrom applied for federal protection for other heritage sites, while ABC does not explicitly state the number of additional sites but confirms a section 9 and 10 application were lodged for the area.
Source Articles
Community shocked after Aboriginal rock shelter bulldozed for NSW power lines
The heritage site was destroyed by contractors building transmission lines for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast 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 New South Wales renewable energy zone. The heritage site was destroyed by bulldozers in March during the construction of access tracks fo
Renewables company destroys Indigenous shelter despite knowing about it
ACREZ apologises to traditional owners "without reservation" as the NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe expresses her "fury" at the incident.
Wiradjuri slam energy company's 'inexcusable' damage to rock shelter
Members of a First Nations community in Central West NSW say they were devastated to learn a culturally significant rock shelter had been destroyed to make way for a renewable energy project.