Hundreds march on Pine Gap military base, led by Arrernte Traditional Custodians

Hundreds of protesters from across the country converged in Central Australia, reportedly the largest protest at the controversial joint defence facility since 1987.

Marchers made it to the first gate of the secretive military base, where members of the Hayes family delivered a letter listing demands; including the closure of Pine Gap, compensation to Traditional Owners and families in Gaza. Source: AAP Image/Rhett Hammerton Source: AAP / RHETT HAMMERTON/AAPIMAGE

'Pine Gap' is a joint Australian-US defence facility based approximately 20 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs.

But the land that the secretive military base is on is known by another name to Traditional Owners - Kuyunba.

For the Hayes family, this is sacred land. That's why they wanted to lead the largest protest against the base in decades; approximately 300-500 people walked to the facility's first gate on Monday.

Wyonna Hayes told NITV that Pine Gap is on Arrentre Country "without our permission".

"Leading the protest today made us feel strong," she said.

Central Arrentre Traditional Custodians Felicity Hayes (centre, purple beanie) and Wyonna Hayes (far right), delivered a letter from their family to Pine Gap facility. Source: AAP Image/Rhett Hammerton Source: AAP / RHETT HAMMERTON/AAPIMAGE

Participants concerned about potential involvement in conflict overseas

Pine Gap has a long history of controversy, beginning with its construction in the late 1960s, becoming operational in the 70s.

Initially described as a space research facility, it has since been revealed as a hub for intelligence operations including military surveillance.

Many protesters, including Arrentre Elder Felicity Hayes, are concerned with Australia's potential role in escalating conflict overseas.

Wyonna Hayes says that her family "have heard the stories of what is happening around the world" and is concerned about the role of Pine Gap in overseas conflicts, particularly involving the US. Source: AAP Image/Rhett Hammerton Source: AAP / RHETT HAMMERTON/AAPIMAGE

She told NITV she is concerned about the involvement of the joint facility in "what's happening around the world".

"We can't give land to people to do things that are not right," she said.

Wyonna explains that, "for so long, we've heard stories about what has been happening around the world in regards to the military base that's been put on our land without our permission, without our Elders' permission."

Traditional Owners want land back, closure of the facility and compensation

Part of the protest demonstration was the delivery of a letter from the Hayes family to the Pine Gap facility, which listed core demands.

As Arrentre Traditional Owners, they want the land the base is on returned to them and the closure of the Pine Gap facility.

They also have demands for compensation for "occupying Arrernte Country" and are concerned that the operations of Pine Gap have led to harm to Country itself.

"We do worry about it because we don't know what they did for Pine Gap because there's a big facility and it's just all blocked up and fenced off," said Felicity Hayes.

The protest followed a two day convergence in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, where plenary talks discussed the core demands from Traditional Owners. Source: AAP Image/Rhett Hammerton Source: AAP / RHETT HAMMERTON/AAPIMAGE

"We don't know [but] we know that what's happening is not right for us for our Country, to be working with the U.S. military," she said.

Another form of compensation they have listed is for the facility to compensate families in the Gaza strip.

For Wyonna, the protest is about fighting for the future of Arrentre Country and people.

"We do have future plans for our next generation," she said.

"We want let them know that we are still here, and we will always be here."

NITV reached out to the Department of Defence, but they "do not comment on intelligence matters" including the Pine Gap facility.