Australian renewable energy company admits « failures » caused destruction of Aboriginal rock shelter
Bowman Energy, one of the developers of Australia's Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) programme, has admitted « unacceptable management failures » led to the destruction of a 9,000-year-old Aboriginal rock shelter in northern New South Wales, and an independent inquiry is recommending a redesign of approval processes.
Bowman Energy executives on Monday told the New South Wales independent inquiry that « unacceptable management failures » led to the destruction of the 9,000-year-old Aboriginal rock shelter in March. The shelter was demolished during earthworks for wind turbines under the Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) programme.
The independent inquiry's report described the cultural heritage assessment process as « structurally inadequate » and recommended that the state government redesign approval procedures. Local Gomeroi representative Aunty Patricia French said « this destruction can never be undone, but at the very least the processes can change. »
New South Wales Environment and Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe said the government « fully accepts » the recommendations and that new legislation will be tabled within four months. Bowman Energy CEO Mark Reilly apologised and pledged a 12 million Australian dollar cultural heritage fund for the Gomeroi community. Twelve other REZ projects have been paused until the process review is complete.
Read next
US eases Iranian oil sanctions as Iran denies Vance claim on nuclear inspectors
The US Treasury on Monday eased certain sanctions on Iranian oil exports, while Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected as « factually incorrect » a claim by US Vice President JD Vance that nuclear inspectors had been granted « full access » to facilities.
Australia's coal and gas exports violate human rights, group says in new UN case
China's strategic mineral controls threaten EU rearmament push, bloc seeks new sources
North Korea's Kim calls Japan a re-emerging « war state » in rare public address
Guinea bans raw gold exports to boost local refining capacity
