Hale site national nuclear waste dump

This successful campaign helped to stop the nomination of the Hale site 70 km south of Alice Springs as the national nuclear waste dumpsite.
Fight off a proposal for a national Nuclear waste dump in Hale, 75km south of Alice Springs

About

ALEC is taking a strong stance against fracking in the Northern Territory, and successfully supported the campaign against the nomination of the Hale site 70 km south of Alice Springs as the national nuclear waste dumpsite earlier this year.

Note: This descriptive text was copied from the Campaign's website. Some website links may no longer be active.

Campaign Details

Group Leading this Campaign: Arid Lands Environment Centre

Campaign Target Type:

Who this Campaign is Targeting: Not stated

Main Issue of the Campaign:

Campaign Ran From: 2015 to 2016

Campaign Outcome:

Outcome Evidence: NT News states 'Chamber of Commerce chief Kay Eade says losing out as nuke waste site is an economic loss. THE decision not to house Australia’s nuclear waste dump locally was a lost opportunity according to the NT Chamber of Commerce. Don't miss out on the headlines from Alice Springs. Followed categories will be added to My News. THE decision not to house Australia’s nuclear waste dump locally was a lost opportunity according to the NT Chamber of Commerce. Kay Eade, the executive officer for the chamber in Central Australia, said it could have had great benefits for local businesses. “It would have required ongoing maintenance so local contractors could have got cleaning jobs, admin contracts, all those businesses that look after the running of an office,” Ms Eade said. “It is a loss to the economic outcome of this town, it could have provided another industry, which is what we need.” Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg revealed on Friday a site at Barndioota in South Australia was the government’s preferred site for the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility. “While encouraging levels of support were identified across a number of these sites, Barndioota displayed a broad level of community support for moving to the project’s next phase,” Mr Frydenberg said. In November last year, the Aridgold date farm in the Territory’s Hale region, about 75km south of Alice Springs, was short-listed alongside three South Australian sites, one from NSW and another from Queensland. Traditional owner Loyola Jones, who lives with her family at Oak Valley, the nearest residence to the proposed Hale site, said she couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. “It’s really gratifying to know your voice was heard,” Ms Jones said. “Even though we’re celebrating we must also keep in mind there is still a community under threat in South Australia and our thoughts are with them and we will continue to support them.” Dr Hilary Tyler from the NT branch of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War said she was saddened by the news. “We have to remember this is a national issue and for one site to fall off the shortlist is not a win,” Ms Tyler said. “We may not be fighting for this place outside of Alice Springs but it’s really disappointing that we have to keep fighting for appropriate management and for Australia to stop producing the stuff, it’s not needed.” Ms Eade said the Chamber had met with experts who explained the risks, and she was confident about the safety of the proposed facility. “The only downside that we could think of was the perception that as a pollution-free, virgin landscape it would have been a bit of a blur on tourism in Alice Springs,” she said. “But a bit of research revealed sometimes it attracts tourists who want to see something like that. Apparently mining tourism is really big overseas. “With every negative there’s a positive.” Aridgold Date Farm owner Tim Micklem did not respond to requests for an interview. Ms Jones said her biggest concern was being unable to “protect country for our future generations”. “We don’t own it, we just care take it for the next generation,” she said. “I think we’ve done our job.” (sourced from https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/centralian-advocate/chamber-of-commerce-chief-kay-eade-says-losing-out-as-nuke-waste-site-is-an-economic-loss/news-story/0478757cc2f60691fd40339e7d958594 28/12/2021)

Year Outcome Assessed:

Geographic Range of Activity:

Weblinks

Hale site national nuclear waste dump

Issue

States/Territories