Robertsons' House in Oaks Estate was given full heritage status on February 12 but later the same day a resident took a photo at the property of discarded syringes strewn across the front verandah.

The Sunday Canberra Times understand an ACT bureaucrat who manages the property offered to put a sharps container in so drug addicts wouldn't leave needles on the ground.

Long-term Oaks Estate resident Karen Williams has been fighting to get Robertsons' House on the heritage register for more than 20 years.

She conducts walking tours for school children and visitors to the house but is frustrated with the ACT government management of the property.

"It is not safe to just walk in anymore," she said.

"It is an indication that it is not being managed properly if that sort of thing is allowed to happen.

"It is not just a heritage issue, it is a social issue that the government is responsible for. Those needles on the front verandah of Robertsons' House is a symptom of it and that something is not right."

The ACT Heritage Council described the significance of Robertsons' House as a notable example of early 20th century vernacular building which demonstrated a lifestyle very different from today.

Oaks Estate Progress Association president Michael Starling said the site had become a "shooting gallery".

"I find it distressing that with a significant building, which you could argue is the bookend to Calthorpes' House, the lack of care being shown to that property," he said.

"Being a shooting gallery is reflective of systemic neglect.

"I'm not sure of anywhere else where you could find a heritage property in Canberra with a full listing that is boarded up and is in need of remedial works."

Mr Starling said more concerning was that it was being left up to the community to manage the drug addicts.

"How do we police it?" he said. "It should be something that is taken back to government."

The heritage listing of the house does set down conservation objectives which could step up management of the property.

"Robertsons' House shall be conserved and appropriately managed in a manner respecting its heritage significance," the ACT Heritage Council stated in its notice to register the property.

ACT Property Group director Daniel Bailey said the ACT government was concerned about this safety issue and would increase security patrols.

He said the government would also install a needle disposal bin, which would be regularly maintained.