Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin and adjacent lands will now get more protection, after being listed as a Commonwealth heritage site.
The listing has been signed off by federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley and includes Scrivener Dam, Stirling Ridge and both Commonwealth and Kings Avenue bridges.
A document released by Ms Ley's office explaining why the lake was to be included on the Commonwealth Heritage List, said Lake Burley Griffin had "significant historic heritage".
"As a substantial national project, the construction and completion of Lake Burley Griffin demonstrates the push for national development during the years immediately after Federation and before the First World War," it read.
The document also cited the importance of the lake as a backdrop for many of Australia's military and civil memorials.
The listing documents released by the government also said the lake had significant environmental significance, with natural grassland areas and threatened species inhabiting the area; like the striped legless lizard and Murray Cod.
"Lake Burley Griffin is highly valued by the Canberra community as an important and essential part of Canberra," the document read.
"These values are shared across the community, irrespective of the nature, length and frequency of association."
Decision won't change plans for light rail: Transport Minister
ACT Transport Minister Chris Steel said the decision to place Lake Burley Griffin and adjacent land on the Commonwealth Heritage List would not change plans for Stage 2B of the ACT's light rail route, which is set to run across the lake via Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.
Mr Steel said the ACT government already knew there were significant heritage values moving through the Parliamentary Triangle for light rail.
"We were already working on the heritage response and we're very confident that the original heritage intention, particularly with Commonwealth Avenue bridge, was to have a third bridge for transport, particularly rail, in between the two existing bridges," he said.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the ACT government said "to remove any further doubt", it would be "seeking absolute clarity from the Commonwealth that there are no implications from the decision that would impact on future infrastructure projects".
"The ACT government will continue to liaise with the Commonwealth government, including the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment and National Capital Authority, as we prepare the Environmental Impact Statement for Stage 2B between Commonwealth Park and Woden, which will consider in detail the heritage issues and how they will be addressed in the design of the project."
The National Capital Authority (NCA), which oversees Commonwealth land in the ACT, welcomed the lake and adjacent lands being listed on the heritage register.
NCA chief executive Sally Barnes emphasised that the move would not form an additional layer of red tape and that a heritage listing did not preclude development.
"Protecting, enhancing, maintaining and promoting national land is what the NCA does," she said.
"We have been doing this for Lake Burley Griffin and adjacent lands as well as other parts of Canberra as part of our day-to-day operations. This is business as usual for the NCA but now it has been formalised."
Environment Minister rejected heritage listing for larger area
Vice-convenor of the Lake Burley Griffin Guardians Richard Morrison said while the lake and surrounding Commonwealth land had now gained extra protection, ACT government land around the lake had not.
"It's a welcome decision," he said.
"It's unfortunate though that on the same day she rejected the central Canberra nomination for the National Heritage List."
Town planner, Ed Wensing submitted the original heritage nomination for the entirety of Canberra in 2009, something that was rejected by Ms Ley on the eve of the Prime Minister calling the federal election.
"As cities grow naturally over time, they change, but there are certain values of Canberra's planning that I think are worthy of protection," Dr Wensing said.
"That doesn't necessarily prevent development but it does put a check and balance on development applications to assess whether they will detract from those values."
Dr Wensing said the decision to only place Commonwealth land on the Commonwealth Heritage List was "bewildering".
"Stupidity frankly, I just think the rejection of the national heritage listing for Canberra is a rather naive and silly decision," he said.
