West basin revamp adversaries ready for a 'long campaign' against development

The City Renewal Authority's controversial project to fill in 2.8 hectares of lake bed with tonnes of fine rock material, and build a 500-metre boardwalk along the new lake edge, was given the green light by the National Capital Authority this week.

Despite changes made to the proposal following community opposition, the Lake Burley Griffin Guardians say more significant alterations are needed.

"The biggest concern is the infill of the lake, and people just can't understand why it's needed except to create more land behind it to sell off for apartments," acting convenor Mike Lawson said.

"This is a long campaign ... we're concerned about the look and feel of the place as well as the heritage aspects of it.

"We really want to work with the community and with ... the National Capital Authority and the City Renewal Authority to try and get a better deal."

Documents explaining the National Capital Authority's decision revealed 141 of 187 submissions lodged during the three-week consultation period opposed the project.

"To have that number of people say 'there's something wrong here and I feel like I have to have a say in it', I think that really shows people are concerned about planning in the city," Mr Lawson said.

Several changes were made to the proposal off the back of those submissions, which would ensure the planting of almost 200 trees, more lighting, barbecue facilities and improved bike path junctions at Henry Rolland Park.

Mr Lawson also raised concerns for cyclist and pedestrian safety throughout construction.

"We are really seriously concerned the temporary cycle path is going to be dangerous, especially down near the Parkes Way pedestrian overpass," he said.

"Tonnes of rock has got to be brought across both cycle paths to do the infill and they're going to continue to operate, and that's the main south to north route."

In the document released Monday, the National Capital Authority stated a three-metre wide path would be built around the construction site, wider than the current path, with temporary traffic management in place.

It is the first step in the ACT Labor government's plan for the precinct to include housing, parks and public spaces.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr hasn't given an exact number of apartments that would be allowed but suggested it would be in the hundreds.

"We think it should be predominantly, if not exclusively, public space," Mr Lawson said.

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Mr Barr has made assurances apartments would be required to be set 55-metres back from the lake edge and no higher than 25-metres, but Mr Lawson was concerned it would become an "exclusive development" cutting off the lake's edge from the public.

"We'd like to see better planning and we'd like to see the whole plan, and we think Canberrans deserve to see the whole plan," he said.

Opposition Leader Alistair Coe has pledged, if successful in next month's election, to reignite community consultation for the precinct which he says should be primarily green space.