Adnyamathanha people preparing to fight bid to store nuclear waste on their land near Flinders Ranges

TRADITIONAL land owners have claimed a proposal to build a nuclear dump near the Flinders Ranges would destroy countless sacred sites and culturally important landmarks. | VOTE NOW

23/02/16 - FLINDERS RANGES SHORT-LISTED NUCLEAR DUMP SITE. Regina McKenzie (L), and Enice Marsh, representing two groups of Adnyamathanha people, traditional owners of the land next to one of the six proposed contenders for a nuclear waste dump site. Picture Dean Martin

• Poll: Nearly half of SA supports nuclear waste dump in the state
• Nuclear Dossier: What you need to know about the waste dump issue

TRADITIONAL land owners have claimed a proposal to build a nuclear dump near the Flinders Ranges would destroy countless sacred sites and culturally important landmarks.

A property near Barndioota, jointly owned by former Liberal Senator Grant Chapman, was one of six sites put forward for the dump, including three in South Australia.

They were to be considered by the Federal Government to store low to intermediate level radioactive waste created within Australia, from industries such as nuclear medicine.

The Federal Government is expected to reduce the shortlist from six sites to between two and three in the coming months. A decision on a preferred site could take up to another year to be made.

Mr Chapman said the proposal for a nuclear dump on his property, Wallerberdina Station, would not be positioned near water.

“It is going to be put in the northeast area of the property and well away from any watercourses,” he said.

Regina McKenzie and Enice Marsh, representing the Adnyamathanha people. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Chapman said he had submitted the property for consideration but the decision was now with the Federal Government.

“They have to make the decision on which sites have the best geological (traits) and also what level of community support there is,” he said.

But the Adnyamathanha people are preparing to fight the proposal and take it to court if site is selected to house a nuclear storage facility.

Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners Regina McKenzie said the land was of great spiritual and cultural significance.

“Our storylines are written in this land,” she said.

“Each part of the landscape, such as the hills or the animals, are part of our storylines.

“We don’t want this poison being put in the land because any problem with it will destroy so much of our heritage. I won’t take that risk.”

Adnyakuyani Man Tony Clark said the area was a historical site which needed to be preserved for future generations.

Premier Jay Weatherill says he believes many people remain to be swayed on the issue of nuclear storage, as polls shows support for the idea and experts expect backing to grow.

An exclusive Advertiser-Galaxy poll published yesterday found 48 per cent of South Australians support storing high-level nuclear waste in the state, compared to 39 per cent against.

Regina McKenzie at a natural spring on the property where they swam as children. Picture: Dean Martin

It comes just a week after the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission released its interim findings, that the activity can be undertaken safely and deliver huge revenues for SA.

In response to the poll, Mr Weatherill said: “These are still very much first impressions and many people wouldn’t have yet reached the point of a fully informed judgment”.

“I’ve been impressed with the way South Australians, including the media, have engaged so far in a high quality debate, presenting all sides of the argument in a non-hysterical way,” he said.