00:02Arinda Elder Doris Stewart Nware is the custodian of sacred sites around Mbuntwa Alice Springs.
00:08So I ask you to join me in acknowledging this country.
00:12But acknowledgement is something she says hasn't been afforded in the location of a new multicultural centre.
00:19We've always said that it's a women's site. Why are they putting other stories there that don't belong?
00:27When construction began last week, concerned residents rallied.
00:31Two of the senior women had no idea this was happening until we told them yesterday.
00:36The almost $9 million centre was announced in February.
00:40It's where a National Aboriginal Art Gallery was once slated to be built.
00:44But long-running controversy over the site stopped the gallery from moving ahead.
00:52The government is using a sacred site certificate from that time.
00:56Cutting red tape so you can bulldoze things really quickly is not humane.
01:03But the government is making no apologies.
01:06We're not going to let people stop progress. This has got to happen and we're not talking about a greenfield
01:12site here.
01:12This is literally a demolished piece of land.
01:15Multicultural Community Services here in Central Australia has provided a statement.
01:20Saying it's concerned the centre is being built in the same area as a women's sacred site.
01:25And it's engaging with traditional owners.
01:29All I want is respect for this place. Doesn't cost money.
01:34A voice shut out as progress continues.
