This petition is to Northern Territory Minister for for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources, Kon Vatskalis. In October 2007, the Northern Territory Government granted uranium mining giant Cameco an exploration license for the Angela Pamela uranium deposit only 20kms south of Alice Springs. Alice Springs is an iconic, vibrant, multicultural desert community of 27,000 people, in the centre of Australia. It prides itself on being Australia's most prominent 'Solar City'. Despite the Northern Territory Government receiving 200 submissions against the license, and almost 1000 signatures to a petition, drilling began in May 2009, much to the dismay of the local community. The Angela Pamela uranium deposit is risky for Alice Springs for many reasons. The site is located within the town's water catchment and in the path of the predominantly south easterly wind which causes significant dust storm activity in Alice Springs (as recorded by the Bureau of Meterology). Cameco has a disastrous track record around the world, particularly in it’s home country of Canada where radioactive leaks have sickened communities and contaminated water. Families For A Nuclear Free Future is an online forum and community network which was established in November 2008. This network is engaging in local, neighbourhood education to help residents understand the threat of uranium mining to our unique way of life in Central Australia. Alice Springs community opposition to uranium exploration and mining continues to grow. Residents are concerned about the possibility of radioactive contamination risks to the towns water supply and the radioactive contamination risks in the dust which regularly blows into town. Residents of Alice Springs say that the risks to our health, our children's health and the threat to our environment are too great. The current exploration license must be revoked. To Kon Vatskalis, Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources, the Honorable Speaker, and the Members of the Legislative Assembly assembled in Parliament: We, the undersigned, petition that the Northern Territory Parliament take action to stop the exploration at the Angela/ Pamela deposit.

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