The original plans for Canberra's iconic Centenary Trail, designed to show off the ACT's wildlife, were referred to the federal government for assessment due to concerns over damage to the environment and endangered species.
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According to an ecological report, released under Freedom of Information Laws, experts were concerned the new trail crossed areas of ecological sensitivity, including box gum woodland and areas of habitat for threatened species.
The Centenary Trail is a 145-kilometre track opened in 2013 as part of Canberra's anniversary celebrations, designed to showcase the ACT's natural beauty.
The assessment was conducted by environmental consultancy Eco Logical Australia and given to the ACT government on October 2012.
It suggested five mitigation measures to limit the impact of the trail on Canberra's wildlife.
It also recommended the Centenary Trail be referred to the federal government for assessment due to its "potential to impact on other threatened species listed under the EPBC and AC acts".
A Territory and Municipal Services Directorate spokesman said all survey recommendations were adhered to and only one seventh of the centenary track had used new trails.
"The Centenary Trail uses over 120 kilometres of pre-existing trails with approximately 20 kilometres of new trails added," he said.
"Approximately 29 kilometres of the trail runs through box gum woodlands, of this only approximately 1800 metres is new track as opposed to pre-existing track.
"A great benefit of the Centenary Trail is the way in which it allows people to experience Canberra's ecological communities firsthand with minimal impact on the environment."
Among the five recommendations made by Eco Logical was a suggestion for pre-clearance surveys to be undertaken where threatened species may be affected.
Some of the species were the small purple-pea, button wrinklewort, austral toadflax, hoary sunray, pink-tailed worm lizard and the Canberra spider orchid, which is critically endangered.
It also recommendedthe original route of the trail be revised.
The TAMS spokesman said, in accordance with review recommendations, surveys were undertaken along the route of trail for endangered species such as the hoary sunray and the pink-tailed worm lizard.
He said other parts of the trail were diverted from their originally intended routes, onto existing trails, to avoid damaging the environment.
"Infrastructure in areas of ecological sensitivity has been avoided. Signage was placed at reserve/area entry points and a campground was placed in a rural setting," the spokesman said.
