Friday, 28 September, 2007

ABC News Online

The Federal Government and environmentalists are arguing over the extent of support from traditional owners for plans for a Northern Territory cattle station to become a nuclear waste dump.

The Government says traditional owners have approved a proposal to nominate Muckaty Station north of Tennant Creek as the fourth potential site for a waste facility.

But a green group says the traditional owners it has spoken to are opposed to the plan.

Muckaty was nominated by the Northern Land Council and if selected, the traditional owners will receive a $12 million package. The nomination has received Federal Government approval.

Northern Territory Senator Nigel Scullion says the wishes of the traditional owners who are offering the land should be respected.

Senator Scullion says it is a clear decision by traditional owners, with only a minority in the area remaining opposed to the idea.

"That's what they've decided to do with their country and they have actually informed themselves by visiting Lucas Heights," he said. "They've had a very close look at the material that will be stored there.

"They've also understand why we are making the material and the necessity to continue to treat over 400,000 people for cancer and associated conditions."

But Natalie Wasley from the Arid Lands Environment Centre says the support is not widespread and some members of the land trust believe their concerns about the facility have been ignored.

"Either the Government has been mislead with this nomination, or they're lying about consultation and consent," she said.

"Just yesterday I was in Tennant Creek and was speaking with traditional owners from the land trust.

"They're strongly opposed to the dump proposal, and for the last year or so have been sending letters to the Northern land Council and to Julie Bishop, expressing that they don't want the dump negotiations to continue."

The Northern Land Council was not available for comment, but released a statement saying the consultation was extensive.