The Crudine Ridge Wind Farm is one of many renewable energy projects within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone. (ABC Central West: Lauren Bohane)<\/p>\n
Penny Sharpe says the development of renewable energy needs to occur "quickly", which will lead to mistakes.<\/p>\n
It follows the destruction of an Aboriginal heritage site earlier this year within the Central-West Orana REZ.<\/p>\n
The minister says a grant funding program for farmers within the REZ will open in the coming months.<\/p>\n
New South Wales Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has conceded mistakes will occur with the rollout of renewable energy projects but says it is necessary to speed up their development.<\/p>\n
In March, renewable energy consortium ACEREZ destroyed an Aboriginal heritage rock shelter near Mudgee during the construction of transmission infrastructure for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).<\/p>\n
An investigation conducted by the company concluded "failures in site design and on-site construction protocols" led to the irreparable destruction of the site.<\/p>\n
Ms Sharpe made the admission after announcing a grant program for producers within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone at the National Renewables in Ag Conference in Orange on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The Aboriginal rock shelter was demolished during construction of a renewable energy zone in central west NSW. (Supplied: Kylie Manson)<\/p>\n
Ms Sharpe said she was "appalled" by the actions of ACEREZ.<\/p>\n
"We cannot say to First Nations communities that we will look after your heritage and then have something like that happen.<\/p>\n
"You cannot build trust with communities if we don't do what we say we're going to do."<\/p>\n
Ms Sharpe said the rollout of the Central-West Orana REZ "has been way too slow" with the state racing to meet its energy targets.<\/p>\n
"This infrastructure needs to be built \u2026 We are doing it very quickly and when you do things quickly, things go wrong," she said.<\/p>\n
"We are seeing more projects being approved and coming out of the system, which is very welcome."<\/p>\n