Key points:

- ACEREZ destroyed an Indigenous rock shelter in Central West NSW despite knowing of the site

- CEO says company is "deeply sorry"

- NSW Environment Minister "furious" about rock shelter's destruction

Renewables company destroys Indigenous rock shelter

An renewables company has destroyed an Indigenous rock shelter it knew about in Central West NSW during construction of one of the state's renewable energy projects.

The site, located in the Mudgee district, was destroyed by ACEREZ during land clearing to connect the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone to the grid.

ACEREZ has apologised for the rock shelter's destruction - a site it admitted it knew about in advance of workers cutting an access track on private property.

NSW Aboriginal Land Council Central Region Councillor Grace Toomey told National Indigenous Times NSWALC is "deeply concerned" by reports that an Aboriginal heritage rock shelter within the Mudgee District, was destroyed, "especially since it had been identified as a cultural site before work commenced at the location".

"The destruction of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage is precisely why NSW needs stronger Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws that provide genuine protection for sites and cultural landscapes, stronger penalties and greater self-determination for Aboriginal Communities in decisions affecting their Cultural Heritage and Country," she said.

"NSWALC has been advocating for better protections for Aboriginal culture and we urgently seek reforms to deliver better decision-making rights for Aboriginal People.

"Aboriginal cultural heritage is not simply about physical sites or artefacts. These places hold deep cultural, spiritual and historical significance for Aboriginal people and are an important connection to identity, culture, knowledge and community."

Call for independent investigation

Councillor Toomey noted that once destroyed, heritage cannot be replaced or restored.

"While nothing can undo the permanent loss that has occurred in this case, we acknowledge the immediate response by (NSW) Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Penny Sharpe, to ensure the matter is investigated," she said.

"It is critical that there is a thorough investigation into what has occurred and that those responsible for the destruction of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage are held accountable and treated with the full force of the law.

"Sadly, incidents involving the destruction and damage of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage are not isolated or uncommon in NSW. Aboriginal communities across the State continue to raise concerns about the ongoing loss of significant cultural sites, often with devastating and irreversible consequences for current and future generations."

Councillor Toomey stressed that the incident highlights "the urgent need for stronger Aboriginal Cultural Heritage protections in NSW" which "place Aboriginal people at the centre of decision-making and ensure that cultural heritage is properly respected, protected, and preserved into the future".

In a statement the company's CEO, Steve Masters, said the processed required to protect the rock shelter "were not fully implemented".

"We are deeply sorry," Mr Masters said. "We apologise without reservation to the Traditional Owners and to the local community. The loss of this rock shelter is permanent and nothing we say can undo that."

Echoes of Juukan Gorge

The rock shelter's destruction comes six years after Rio Tinto destroyed two sacred rock shelters at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia's Pilbara region while expanding an iron ore mine.

The destruction of the site, which contained two ancient rock shelters dating back more than 46,000 years, sparked global condemnation and widespread legislative reform.

Following the incident, Rio Tinto apologised to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and the Pinikura peoples for distress caused, with the The National Native Title Council issuing a request to the federal government asking for national legislation for Indigenous cultural heritage.

As part of reparations, a full-size replica of the cave is currently being engineered and built on-site.

Minister furious

Following ACEREZ's admission NSW Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage, Penny Sharpe, said she was "furious" about the rock shelter's destruction, saying it "should never have happened" and is "completely unacceptable".

The Minister confirmed a full investigation is underway.

"I called in the CEO of ACEREZ to demand information on the incident," Ms Sharpe said.

"I sought and received assurances around what measures are being put in place to assess and protect all Aboriginal sites.

"I also sought and received assurances regarding cooperation with the investigation by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure."

Government agency points blame

EnergyCo, the state government agency which leads the delivery of renewable energy zones including the Central West Orana project, said it was "extremely disappointed" by the incident.

"ACEREZ has failed to conduct its works with the agreed management plans and heritage protection measures. These safeguards are clearly defined and must be strictly adhered to at all times."

"As a result, EnergyCo has alerted ACEREZ of its failure to comply with its contractual obligations.

"We are extremely disappointed and alerted the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure which has initiated an investigation."

Works paused with investigation underway

Mr Masters said on becoming aware of the incident, work on access tracks were immediately paused.

"An internal investigation has commenced into the circumstances," he said.

"We have also been advised an investigation has been launched by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure."

Mr Masters said ACEREZ has been working with all relevant stakeholders to understand how the rock shelter's destruction occurred and "to prevent this from occurring anywhere else on this project".

"We have been contacting the Traditional Owners directly and will work with them to determine how this site and its story can be acknowledged and honoured from here," he said.

"ACEREZ values and respects the Aboriginal cultural heritage of the lands on which the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) transmission project is being built."