Media releases

Kakadu Traditional Owners Welcome Muckaty Waste Dump Win

Publish Date: 20th June 2014

The Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation welcomes the Northern Land Council’s announcement to withdraw the nomination for a radioactive waste dump at Muckaty in the Northern Territory.

The Mirarr people are celebrating this significant win for the Traditional Owners of Muckaty and applaud the leadership shown by the Northern Land Council in this decision.

"Common sense has prevailed," Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation CEO Justin O'Brien said. "This decision by the Northern Land Council is clearly in the best interests of the entire community of the region and ends too many years of community conflict.

"It is heartening to see such leadership from the Land Council, placing community cohesion ahead of the legalities of the matter."

Mr O'Brien congratulated the Traditional Owners of the Muckaty lands on their successful eight-year struggle against the waste.

"We send heartfelt congratulations to all involved in protecting Muckaty from imposed development. The Mirarr people have experienced a similar struggle on their lands at Jabiluka and have won significant victories over the years.”

“That fact and today's news from Tenant Creek show that right thinking can prevail, that the Land Council is not deaf to the will of its constituents.” Mr O’Brien concluded.

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