Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone: Native birds orphaned 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 the local MP.

Images of birds taken to vet in regional NSW left homeless after trees were destroyed to make way for the state's flagship net zero project

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 Street Veterinary Clinic in the last few days when they were discovered in fallen trees during construction on the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

The REZ spans 20,000 square kilometres surrounding Dubbo and Dunedoo, with its price tag increasing from initial estimates of $650 million to $5.5 billion.

In a statement, wildlife rescue organisation WIRES confirmed it was aware of the situation and had “sent an Emergency Response Team member and ambulance to assist local volunteers” in Mudgee.

“We will be providing further assistance for as long as required” WIRES said.

Images of birds taken to vet in regional NSW left homeless after trees were destroyed to make way for the state's flagship net zero project. Source: Facebook

Images of birds taken to vet in regional NSW left homeless after trees were destroyed to make way for the state's flagship net zero project

Federal MP for Calare Andrew Gee accused the NSW Government of “environmental vandalism” on the local Merotherie Road, where he claimed the developers had been “ripping out centuries old native trees”.

He then published images of orphaned native birds who he said were “struggling to survive after the destruction”.

“How many more (birds) were lost, we’ll never know,” Mr Gee wrote on Facebook. “They haven’t heard the last of this”.

Andrew Gee is the Calare federal independent MP.

The Daily Telegraph approached the government’s bureaucracy EnergyCo for comment and was directed to the project’s operator, ACEREZ.

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…”

Images of birds taken to vet in regional NSW left homeless after trees were destroyed to make way for the state's flagship net zero project. Source: Facebook

“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.

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

More to come

Originally published as Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone: Native birds orphaned in Net Zero construction