Friday, 5 October, 2007

Tennant and District Times

THE Federal Government has officially accepted the nomination of Muckaty as a potential site for its proposed nuclear waste dump.

There are now four Northern Territory sites which will be assessed for suitability including Harts Range, Mount Everard and Fishers Ridge.

Muckaty, a former cattle station which is now Aboriginal land, 120 km north of Tennant Creek, was nominated by the Northern Land Council in May despite opposition from many of the traditional owners.

The deal is worth an estimated $12 million.

Federal Science Minister Julie Bishop is now waiting for scientific assessments of the area which will house storage of low and medium grade nuclear waste.

The reports, which would determine the suitability of the site are expected to assess the physical and biological environments.

An announcement on which of the four sites would be selected for the dump is expected next year.

Already legislation has been passed preventing third party legal challenges to nomination of land by land councils and Prime Minister John Howard has refused to consider a referendum on the matter despite a call from the NT Parliament.

The Arid Lands Environment Centre’s Beyond Nuclear Initiative spokesperson, Natalie Wasley condemned the decision announced last Thursday.

She said the government had either been misled or was being disingenuous about the consultation and consent behind the Muckaty nomination.

“Many of the traditional owners are opposed to the nomination of their land,” she said.

“The Northern Land Council nominated the site on behalf of the traditional owners but there is definitely not agreement from the entire Muckaty mob.

“Since Muckaty was raised as a place of interest last April, traditional owners from all of the family groups associated with the area have written to Ms Bishop and the NLC numerous times registering opposition to hosting radioactive waste.

“So when the Minister now says all affected Aboriginal people have had the chance to express opposition she is essentially saying their concerns have been disregarded.

“Further Ms Bishop has not responded to invitations to come to the Northern Territory and meet the people who will be affected by her decision, however this is an issue of extreme national importance and the Minister should hear directly from traditional owners, people from nearby stations and communities and Tennant Creek.”

Chief Minister Clare Martin also condemned the decision.

“This has been a flawed process from the start and just continues the arrogant approach of the Commonwealth Government,” she said.

“All along we’ve said the sensible thing to do would be to pick the most suitable site in Australia based on a strict scientific process.

“Instead the Federal Government has selected a site in the Northern Territory because it’s the most convenient .

“Now it will try and prove it’s suitable.

“The process is totally back-to-front.”

Ms Martin said the Federal Government has ridden roughshod over the Territory on this issue and that it should back-off.