They're on opposite sides of the political divide but Member for Barkly, Gerry McCarthy and CLP candidate Bec Healy stand united on Muckaty

The CLP's candidate for the Barkly, Bec Healy says she does not want to see the proposed nuclear waste facility at Muckaty Station go ahead.

"I know some of the traditional owners out at Muckaty...and you have to be sensitive with how people live, that's their life and I'm willing to support them," she says.

The Federal Government put forward the proposal to build a radioactive waste management facility at Muckaty Station in 2008. The station is located 120kms north of Tennant Creek and leased from Indigenous landholders.

Ms Healy stands united with current Member for Barkly, Gerry McCarthy who maintains his strong opposition to the proposal.

"This is prime cattle country, this is important Indigenous land, this is a very important part of the Territory's future, it doesn't need to be contaminated with nuclear material," he says.

Both candidates stand against their own parties federally on the issue.

In March this year, Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said it was time for the nation to front up to its responsibilities.

"It is a moral issue," he said.

"If you want access to nuclear medicine then take on the responsibility of storing your waste."

Last week the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) announced their opposition to the Muckaty proposal, saying that they will actively support any trade unions 'refusing to cooperate with the implementation of the policy.'

Tennant Creek residents, who have lived with the proposal for the past five years, shared mixed responses this week.

"In the current financial climate this town needs as much potential income as it can get...there's been no real growth in the town for a lot of years," said one business owner this week.

"If it's going to create jobs for Australians and it's treated in the right manner, then I'm all for it," said another.

Local business owner Wayne Walsh disagrees.

"Why put it over the top of our water table?" he says.

"I don't think they realise that we've got so much water underneath up here...one mistake and the whole territory's dead, all the water's gone."