Territorians are shocked by Science Minister Julie Bishop’s assertions that no one is living near the proposed sites for the Commonwealth radioactive waste dump in the NT, when each of the areas being considered has communities within a ten kilometre radius.
At the event marking the closure of the Lucas Heights HIFAR nuclear reactor yesterday, speaking on the NT dump proposal, the Minister asserted that:
“….all the sites in the NT are well away from houses”, and that the three sites
“…are some distance from any form of civilisation" (ABC online, Jan 30, 2007)
Natalie Wasley from the Arid Land Environment Centre in Alice Springs, says these comments are uninformed, and indicative of the Federal Government’s unwillingness to engage and involve targeted communities in discussions around this controversial issue.
“Minister Bishop’s statements regarding the proposed dump sites are incorrect, insensitive and inappropriate. There are occupied communities and pastoral stations operating extremely close to each of the areas under investigation, all of which have strongly and frequently said no to the proposal”, Ms Wasley stated.
“It is outrageous that Julie Bishop was so bold to say that nobody is living near the sites. Traditional owners and pastoralists directly affected by the proposal have made it clear that they oppose the dump, which begs the question what “social perspective”, as described by the Minister, is being considered in the assessments”
“As a traditional owner/community rep, I strongly encourage the Minister to come to the NT and visit the sites and the communities in the immediate vicinity of the proposed dump locations. Until then, she will remain uninformed and cannot credibly assert that the dump plan and process is democratic or adhering to international best practice, which entails community participation”.
See also Community profiles of the proposed NT dump sites.
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Available for comment:
Natalie Wasley, Arid Lands Environment Centre, 0429 900 774
Mitch, Engawala community, 0418 240 246
Margie Lynch, Arrernte Nations Campaign, 0403 068 894
Valerie Utley, Fishers Ridge pastoralist, 08 8971 2415
Kath Martin, Mt Everard traditional owner, 08 8952 8590
Dave Sweeney, Australian Conservation Foundation, 0408 317 812