Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone: Native birds orphaned, killed in net zero construction

Heartbreaking images have emerged of baby birds at a vet in Mudgee after large trees were removed to make way for the state’s flagship net zero project, sparking the ire of a local MP.

Destruction of large trees left many birds homeless. Source: Facebook

Heartbreaking images have emerged of baby birds at a vet in regional NSW after large trees were destroyed to make way for the state’s flagship net zero project.

Dozens of native animals were transferred to Mudgee Vet Hospital in recent weeks when they were discovered during construction works on Merotherie Rd, as part of the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

Centred around Dubbo and Dunedoo, the REZ involves building 240km of new transmission lines and energy hubs to connect large-scale solar and wind farms. The total construction area footprint is 4000 hectares.

The Minns Government’s bureaucracy, EnergyCo, has commissioned a consortium known as ACEREZ to deliver the project, which has ballooned in cost from $650m to $5.5bn.

The Daily Telegraph has confirmed the species sent to the vet included nankeen kestrels, grass parrots, starlings, kookaburras, galahs and rosellas. Some of the orphaned babies have since sadly died.

In a statement, wildlife rescue organisation WIRES confirmed it had “sent an Emergency Response Team member and ambulance to assist local volunteers” to respond to the situation in Mudgee and would be “providing further assistance for as long as required”.

On Monday Andrew Gee, the federal MP for Calare, wrote to NSW Premier Chris Minns claiming the project had “recently destroyed a centuries-old wildlife corridor” on Merotherie Rd.

“Every tree along a section of this road has been bulldozed, destroying the native habitat of local fauna. Our communities are understandably outraged by this scandalous and needless destruction,” Mr Gee said.

Birds were taken to a vet in Mudgee after trees were destroyed to make way for the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone. Source: Facebook

Species sent to the vet included nankeen kestrels, grass parrots, starlings, kookaburras, galahs and rosellas. Source: Facebook

According to the project’s Environmental Impact Study (EIS), approximately 831 hectares of native vegetation would need to be cleared for the REZ. Seventeen threatened fauna species were also identified as at risk of “potential loss of habitat”.

However the Department of Planning found the REZ “would not significantly impact the biodiversity values of the locality”.

Labor has subsequently announced $140m would be spent on biodiversity offsets on the REZ project to create new “wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity”.

“The Minns Government is showing that renewable energy and nature conservation can go hand-in-hand,” the press release on October 23 reads.

In a video posted on Facebook, Dubbo deputy mayor Phillip Toynton highlighted the removal of trees on Merotherie Road, describing the scenes as “disgusting”.

Merotherie Rd after trees were knocked down to make way for the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone. Source: Facebook

“I am hoping these people in Sydney who are never having this rubbish bestowed on them realise, this is the destruction of the bush… this is the dark side of it, all under the guise of clean, green renewable energy,” Mr Toynton said.

This masthead approached EnergoCo for comment and was directed to project operator ACEREZ.

In a statement, ACEREZ said it was “liaising with WIRES and working with Taronga Wildlife Hospital Dubbo and other carers to care for any birds displaced by clearing required for the Central-West REZ”.

“The required vegetation clearing is taking place on private property in accordance with the project’s Environmental Impact Statement, Planning Approval and Biodiversity Management Plan.

These orphaned baby rosellas survived. Source: Facebook

Some of the orphaned young birds have since died. Source: Facebook

“Ecologists and fauna spotters are also onsite to ensure the birds can be safely relocated or taken to vets or wildlife carers,” ACEREZ said.

ACEREZ, a consortium of Acciona, Cobra and Endeavour Energy, advised residents this month it was upgrading Merotherie Rd to “create a safer, sealed, two-lane road”.

The company told this masthead on Monday it had cleared “vegetation on both sides of Merotherie Road, from the intersection with Golden Highway to approximately 300 metres south of Birriwa Bus Route South...”

“All clearing limits as set out in the EIS were adhered to. Seeds were collected to be replanted at a later date as part of the works. Landscaping within the energy hub will occur as construction nears completion” ACEREZ said.

Originally published as Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone: Native birds orphaned, killed in net zero construction