Wednesday 10 May 2006
NT News
by Nigel Adlam

DEFENCE Force land near Katherine is being assessed as a possible site for a nuclear waste facility, it was said yesterday.

Territory Senator Trish Crossin said a five-strong team commissioned by the Federal Government visited Fishers Ridge, 40km east of RAAF Base Tindal.

She said the inspectors would return next month to begin drilling and conduct a fauna survey.

Senator Crossin said the site was regularly flooded.

She said the interest in Fishers Ridge showed the push to build the waste depository near Tennant Creek ``was coming unstuck''.

Traditional owners from Muckaty Station have been asked to accept the facility.

The Northern Land Council, which is brokering the deal, said many Aboriginal groups had asked whether a radioactive waste facility could be located safely on their country.

``These requests for information do not constitute a formal proposal and are preliminary,'' the land council said in a written statement.

``The NLC will obtain advice so that traditional owners may consider their position.

``The NLC is not considering any proposal at this time.''

It refused to make any further comment.