The Federal Member for Lingiari Warren Snowdon says it's not a foregone conclusion that Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory will be chosen as Australia's first nuclear waste dump.

A public meeting involving traditional owners, politicians and anti-nuclear campaigners is being held in Tennant Creek tonight to discuss the Federal Government's nuclear plans.

Mr Snowdon says the Commonwealth is approaching the nomination of Muckaty Station differently to the previous Howard Government.