A Northern Land Council (NLC) report into the proposed Northern Territory nuclear waste dump says there are no sacred sites involved and the traditional owners overwhelmingly agree to its use as a nuclear repository.

A summary of the anthropological report, tabled in the Senate last week, says the NLC also consulted nearby traditional land owners with most agreeing to the proposed use of the site.

The report was tabled by Industry Minister Kim Carr following a notice of motion by Greens senator Scott Ludlam.

Initially the government denied having a copy of this report but subsequently acknowledged one did exist within the Resources and Energy Department.

However, the NLC consented to release of only a precis as the original contained information on sacred sites and matters of cultural sensitivity to Aboriginal people.

The report relates to consultations with the traditional owners of the Muckaty Station site who offered the land, 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek, as the site for the facility. 

Those consultations were conducted in 2006 and 2007, with the report supplied to the former government.

The NLC’s consultants said they conducted comprehensive briefings and consultations with the traditional owners, the Ngapa people.

“On the basis of those consultations and research, the NLC is satisfied that the traditional Aboriginal owners of the nominated repository site are members of the Ngapa group and pursuant to its traditional decision making process, that group consents to the nomination,” it said.

Consultations with other interested groups and individuals, including traditional owners of adjacent properties, showed substantial support with only a few individuals expressing opposition.

“There are no sacred sites on the nominated site, although sacred sites exist in the broader region,” it said.

The NLC said it was satisfied the establishment and operation of a nuclear waste facility would not damage or interfere with any sacred site.