Traditional owners have made an emergency application to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek urging her to halt bulldozers at a culturally significant site in Darwin.
Lee Point, also known as Binybara, is significant to the Danggalaba clan but the land is due to be cleared for a Defence Housing Australia project.
Environmental Justice Australia on Thursday lodged the application for an emergency stop to the land-clearing on behalf of the Danggalaba people.
The application asks Ms Plibersek to complete due diligence to determine whether Aboriginal cultural heritage is present and whether it will be damaged by the development.
The group has also called on Defence Housing Australia to stop the clearing while the minister assesses the application.
"Our client believes the destruction of ancient rock shelters at Juukan Gorge should be at the forefront of the minister's mind when she considers this development at Lee Point," environmental lawyer Semisi Tapueluelu said.
"There's still time for the minister to pause, consider the cultural significance of this place and listen to the traditional owners."
Larrakia Danggalaba elder Tibby Quall urged Ms Plibersek to take action.
"Our people have been living off this land since time immemorial," he said.
"It's a sacred place. It's all part of the Dreaming and our culture and heritage connects us to the land."
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water noted it had received the application.
"Decisions on section 18 applications are made by an authorised officer of the department following an assessment of the application," a spokesperson said.
Defence Housing Australia has been contacted for comment.
