Elders oppose SA nuclear waste dump

Aboriginal elders have accused authorities of paying lip service to traditional owners' fears about a proposed nuclear waste dump in the South Australian outback.

The state could earn billions of dollars if it embraces a bold plan to store large amounts of the world's high-level nuclear waste, the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has found.

But Australian Nuclear Free Alliance co-chair and Kokatha-Mula woman Sue Coleman-Haseldine says the proposal threatens her people's spiritual health.

"We can't survive in this world without our culture and the land is the main part of that. We've got sacred sites, we've got Dreamtime stories out there," she told AAP on Tuesday.

"We don't seem to be able to get this through the government's heads, the people's heads. All they see is the dollar signs."

Ms Coleman-Haseldine said the commission's findings, handed down on Monday after months of evidence, cherry picked favourable Aboriginal views.

"If we're not yes people, we're not going to be listened to. There's people who say `yes, give us the money' without a thought for mankind's future," she said.

Arabunna man Kevin Buzzacott said his people had an obligation to respect the land and preserve it for future generations.

Mr Buzzacott was particularly concerned about the risk of contamination.

"You have to get the stuff there, transfer it from A to B and that's not safe. If you have an accidental spillage, then that area's contaminated," he said.

"I don't know what these people are trying to do to (our) people and country."

Commissioner and former SA governor Kevin Scarce has moved to allay concerns and says the proposed dump should be scrapped if it can't garner broad community support.

Premier Jay Weatherill said he was willing to consider the proposal but a final decision would "put people before money".