Central Land Council
in this section
CLC Press Releases
- 30 May 2008
- Seal the Mereenie Loop Road Now ›› more
- 27 May 2008
- Angela Pamela Negotiations ›› more
- 9 May 2008
- Angela Pamela and the native title process ›› more
- 18 February 2008
- Coalition should support permit system ›› more
- 15 February 2008
- Politicians threaten to derail fresh start ›› more
- 22 January 2008
- Police ignorance upsets Lajamanu community ›› more
- 26 November 2007
- Optimism for a fresh consensual approach on Aboriginal affairs ›› more
- 21 November 2007
- Concerns over Central Petroleum tactics ›› more
waste dump - traditional owners take their fight to Canberra
3 November 2005
Traditional owners take the fight to Canberra
Traditional owners of the two proposed waste dump sites in Central Australia are taking their fight to Canberra .
Both groups have sent letters to the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Brendan Nelson, Senator Scullion , Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Amanda Vanstone and other politicians.
They have also listened to presentations from Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and the Department of Education Science and Training.
However, both groups have decided that the proposal has no positive benefits for them.
The traditional owners are concerned about safety and the future security of a nuclear waste dump, the waste being transported on the roads that they use every day, the negative impact on businesses like Alcoota Aboriginal Corporation's cattle company, the impact on their traditional country and the ability to hunt and get bush tucker, pollution of the water in the event of an accident and the future for their grandchildren.
Chairman of the Alcoota Aboriginal Corporation, William Tilmouth said that the company was extremely worried about its beef sales if there was a nuclear waste dump nearby.
"Other pastoralists have also expressed concern over the perception by the public that the beef will be contaminated. The cattle industry out here prides itself on being clean and green.
"We were lied to before the last election. Even Dave Tollner admitted that on Stateline last week. Now is the time for Senator Scullion to stand up for his constituents in Central Australia and cross the floor," Mr Tilmouth said.
Lindsay Bookie runs a tourist business further east along the Plenty Highway and said that a waste dump would impact heavily on him
"I have talked to the tourists who come to my camp and they say they wouldn't come anymore because it would spoil the area. I am really worried about all those trucks along that road too. There are so many accidents along there - it wouldn't be at all safe."
Steven McCormack, who lives close to the Mt Everard site said that a nuclear waste dump would be devastating for him and his family.
"This land is not empty - people live right nearby. We hunt and collect bush tucker here and I am the custodian of a sacred site within the boundaries of the defence land. We don't want this poison here.
3 November 2005
Contact Jane Hodson 0417877579
contact: Jane Hodson 0417877579 0889516217