Antinuclear

Northern Territory groups condemn Chief Minister Adam Giles’ last ditch effort to get nuclear waste dump

NO NT DEAL BY DEADLINE FOR NUCLEAR DUMP PLAN  1 Oct 14, The Environment Centre of the NT and Beyond Nuclear Initiative have today condemned Chief Minister Adam Giles’ last ditch effort to secure a nuclear waste dump site in the Northern Territory as a risky and short-sighted plan that goes against the clear wishes of the majority of Territorians.

A deadline set by Federal Resources Minister Ian MacFarlane expires today in which Aboriginal Land Councils and the NT Government could nominate a site for consideration as Australia’s first national radioactive waste dump. Without an NT site on offer, the Federal Minister will potentially open the nomination process to a national field from mid-November.

Lauren Mellor, Nuclear-free NT Campaigner stated: “The process for selecting an NT dump site has been a near decade long self-described disaster for successive Federal Governments. Instead of heeding the loud and consistent objections from targeted communities, transport workers and residents of towns along the transport route, the NT Chief Minister has thrown his weight behind a divisive, unpopular and irresponsible waste dump plan.”

“Every NT community that has been approached to host the dump since 2005 has overwhelmingly rejected the plan, choosing to protect country and the health of their community instead of being enticed by the compensation package on offer.”

Natalie Wasley from the Beyond Nuclear Initiative said, “Adam Giles and Federal Minister Ian Macfarlane cannot ignore the nine-year campaign waged by people across the Territory rejecting a national nuclear waste dump. Any attempts to nominate another NT site will be deeply unpopular- and challenged.

“Environment groups want to advance radioactive waste management in ways that ensures the environment is protected along with the rights of people living in remote communities. It is time to stop throwing darts at the map in the desperate search for a remote site. The end of the NT nomination period today should be the start of an evidence-based approach to radioactive waste management in the form of an independent, national commission”.

Contact:

Lauren Mellor, Environment Centre NT (Darwin) 0413 534 125

Natalie Wasley, Beyond Nuclear Initiative (Alice Springs) 0429 900 774

October 1, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News