The company in charge of the transmission lines for the large roll out of the Central West Energy Zone has come under criticism from several quarters.

From politicians to environmentalists and wild life rescue, concerns have been raised over work to date by Sydney-based civil engineering company ACEREZ on the REZ network.

This week ACEREZ has been criticised for clearing the roadside vegetation along Merotherie Road outside of Gulgong in preparation for the first of the 240-kilometre transmission line which runs through a number of local government areas.

Animal Rescue group WIRES was called in to help up to 60 tiny new born birds who were evicted from their habitat when trees were torn down.

The birds are being looked after at Mudgee Vet Hospital and Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo.

Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee has written to NSW Premier Chris Minns, saying he is devastated by the clearance of more than 600 native trees on Merotherie Road and the baby birds taken from their habitat.

"How many more were lost, we’ll never know," he said.

"There was no need to bulldoze these old trees.

‘’It all could have been avoided if EnergyCo had put in a new road on land it owns/controls just over the fence from where the trees once were.

"The NSW Premier needs to step in and stop this shocking vandalism.’’

One of the de-homed baby birds now in care. [IMAGE: A Gee MP]

ACEREZ was appointed network operator by EnergyCo.

Their role is to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Central-West Orana REZ transmission network.

Energyco redirected our questions to ACEREZ saying they were responsible.

‘’Communities across the country are fighting projects like these, and it’s only going to get worse under the Labor Government’s renewables-only approach to achieving net zero," said Jamie Chaffey Federal Member for Parkes after community forums about the region's renewable energy rollout in Dunedoo and Dubbo on Saturday 29 November.

"There is a cheaper, better and fairer way that does not destroy our farmland or our environment," Chaffey said.

“Residents are looking at hundreds of kilometres of new transmission lines, and massive wind, solar and battery projects.

"All of this disruption is for no benefit – our prices continue to increase and our emissions reduction has stalled."

In a statement to the Western Plains App ACEREZ said it is working to comply with community standards.

“ACEREZ is liaising with WIRES and working with carers to care for any birds displaced by clearing required for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone transmission project.

“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.”

They say ecologists complete a pre-clearing survey of work areas to identify habitat features prior to any clearing taking place.

"When habitat features are required to be removed, a two-stage process is carried out under the guidance of fauna spotters to ensure displaced fauna can be safely relocated or taken to vets or wildlife carers.

"Where possible, hollow-bearing sections of habitat trees are cut and erected on site with young fauna placed back into their original hollow.

"The ecology team monitors each of these hollows to ensure parents return."