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NT doctors support Alice Springs community in opposing Angela Pamela uranium search

Written 06/10/2008

ALICE SPRINGS, 5 OCTOBER 2008: MAPW members were among the 300 community members gathered in the Todd Mall, Alice Springs on Sunday 5 October to oppose uranium exploration at the Angela and Pamela deposits just 25 km away.

The NT Government on Friday afternoon announced the granting of a exploration licence to Cameco-Paladin despite widespread community opposition.

The weekend's events began with a snap protest just three hours after the announcement, where 80 people gathered on the Town Council Lawns and marched to NT Government offices for a community speak out.

MAPW representative Dr Tom Keaney was among those who spoke on Sunday.

“In the last six months, hundreds of Alice Springs and Central Australian residents have written to the NT government and attended public events to voice their opposition, but it seems the government has its ears in its pockets”, said Natalie Wasley, Beyond Nuclear campaigner and member of the Alice Springs Angela Pamela (ASAP) collective that organised today’s rally.

“Speaker after speaker has stood up and denounced this decision, calling for the exploration license to be revoked. People noted the irony that federal Minister Peter Garrett has been here all week talking up the Solar Cities project. Will Alice become iconic for its solar or nuclear reputation?”

Jimmy Cocking, Arid Lands Environment Centre coordinator and ASAP collective member said:

“Both public events held since the announcement clearly demonstrate continued opposition from local residents. The deposits lie within the Alice Springs water catchment, in areas noted for national conservation and biodiversity significance and the risk is simply too high to allow a uranium project to go ahead”.

While NT Environment Minister Alison Anderson, present at the rally, promised to take the message of opposition back to the NT government, the crowd resolved to continue building a broad campaign of opposition and undertake community actions at the site if exploration works go ahead.

140 personal fax messages were collected and are being sent to NT and federal Mining and Environment ministers and the NT Chief Minister.

Red Centre uranium digs approved - NT News:
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/10/04/7635_ntnews.html

 NT 'ignored community over uranium project' - ABC
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/03/2381883.htm

 Uranium mining won't affect Alice water: Henderson, ABC
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/06/2383116.htm?site=alicesprings

Story based on Beyond Nuclear media release.