Indigenous groups to meet over nuke dump
Traditional owners in the Tanami Desert will meet this week to learn about the risks and benefits of hosting a nuclear waste dump on their land.
The Central Land Council (CLC) is convening an information meeting on Thursday at the closed Tanami Mine site northwest of Yuendumu in central Australia.
Director David Ross said traditional owners approached the CLC in August. They said they had been contacted by the NT government and wanted to learn about the risks and benefits of hosting the facility.
In June, the Northern Land Council dropped its case in the Federal Court against traditional owners from Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek, who for eight years fought the placement of the proposed dump on their land due to a dispute over ownership among several clans.
The Northern Territory's land councils have until September 30 to nominate another potential site, after which federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane will open the facility up for tender to the rest of the country.
The Department of Industry and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation will present details about the proposal, and an independent expert on radiation health will also be present.
Community meetings will be held in Balgo, Lajamanu and Yuendumu in the week starting on September 22, Mr Ross said.
