Connection to Country : Fukushima to Kintyre

On this weeks show we hear the strong testimony from Kenichi Hasegawa, a Fukushima dairy farmer who’s land, farm, life and community has been destroyed following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster that occurred in March 2011.  Hasegawa’s story was shared at the recent Making Waves event held nationally as part of the Peace Boat visit. Thanks to co-producer, Mara and the Adelaide Making Waves Forum for this recording of Kenichi Hasegawa’s moving testimony.   

We will hear the powerful stories from Curtis Taylor, a young Martu leader, filmmaker and screen artist and Desmond Taylor, Martu man who’s connection to country is Kintyre and both share their stories on the threat of uranium mining on their country. 

Kintyre is on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert and the Little Sandy Desert. It is on the boundary of (and should still be included) in the Karlamilyi National Park.  Kintyre was excised from the Karlamilyi National Park (Rudall River) in 1994 - to allow for future mining.  The proposed Kintyre uranium mine project is jointly owned by Canadian company, Cameco (70%) and Japanese company, Mitsubishi Development (30%).  Cameco, Australia is proposing to construct and operate the Kintyre open-cut uranium mine, 270 kms north east of Newman. The project would include an airstrip, processing plant, waste rock dump, tailings storage facility, offices, accomodation and haul road.

Today, they don’t have any final approvals, is not operating, needs further assessment and conditions to be met and the current uranium mine proposal is on hold because of the low uranium price. This proposal is still a long way off but as you will hear still causes significant stress and dissapointment as the Martu are still forced to negotiate over their lands, instead of this beautiful country being protected. 

The stories on this week’s show are powerful reminders of the damage that Australian uranium can do to the environment and communities both here in Australia and overseas.  We have a chance to learn from Fukushima and to ensure the same mistakes never happen again.  The only way we can sure that Western Australia uranium does not end up in nuclear weapons or radioactive waste is to keep it in the ground, and that is our responsibility.  Thank you Kenichi Hasegawa, Curtis Taylor and Desmond Taylor. Presented by K-A

For more information on stories covered this week go to:

Peace Boat www.peaceboat.org/english

Western Australia Nuclear Free Alliance (WANFA) https://nuclearfree.wordpress.com

WA 2018 Rad Tour https://walkingforcountry.com/radtour/

Kalyu Print : WANFA https://nuclearfree.wordpress.com/art/

Kintyre : http://www.ccwa.org.au/kintyre