Plans to build a facility that would store nuclear waste from around the world at a station in the Northern Territory are reportedly “progressing”.

Federal Government industry briefing documents suggest a Spanish group has come up with a design for a $130 million nuclear waste storage facility.

Documents further reveal that the plans by Spanish radioactive waste management body ENRESA show a site in NT could be operational by 2019.

The prospect is the subject of a legal battle with traditional owners of the land planned for use. The Federal Court will hear the case in July next year.

Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane says he realises the tumultuous possibilities of leaping into the plan, saying he will not make any “knee-jerk” decisions about the dump location at Muckaty Station, about 100km north of Tennant Creek.

“I've asked for a brief on this matter, it is a complicated legal matter and I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet with traditional owners,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“I would like to go up to Muckaty Station and I plan to do that in the next month or so, and talk with the traditional owners and see what they're expecting out of this process.”

Minister Macfarlane says he has discussed the idea briefly with Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles, but would not disclose the outcome of the talks.

Some commenters claim that if Australia is to provide nuclear fuel to the world in the form of uranium, then it should also take responsibility for dealing with the waste in a safe and secure manner. The site in NT was picked for its remoteness and geological stability.