A proposed nuclear waste dump near Tennant Creek, in the Northern Territory, is being approved by the Rudd Government despite a majority locals opposing it, traditional owners will tell a Senate inquiry in Darwin today.

And fears are growing that the dump, at Muckaty Station, about 120km from Tennant Creek, could close the cattle industry in the area, hurt tourism and damage biodiversity.

Resources Minister Martin Ferguson confirmed in February that Muckaty Station was the only site being considered for a nuclear waste dump.

Under new regulations, Australia has to have a dump in place by 2015 when nuclear waste that has been treated by France will be returned.

Traditional owner Dianne Stokes, of the Yapayapa people, will tell the Senate inquiry today that while representatives of the Ngapa people, one of the traditional owners in the area, have approved the site, other clans who have claims to the area oppose the development.

Ms Stokes said the Northern Land Council, which has worked with the Ngapa people and the Federal Government to select the site, hadn't listened to other traditional owners in the area.

''I'm saying now for my people, the people who went before, and my children and grandchildren, the money [for hosting the dump] doesn't mean anything to us. Selling our country is the wrong thing to do,'' she said.

''We don't want anything to happen ... we want Martin Ferguson and the Government to listen to us, we're not selling our country just for the money."