Two small islands near Lake Burley Griffin's National Carillon are being saved from decades of overgrowth and weeds and redeveloped as bird sanctuaries.
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Unremarkably named "A1" and "A2", the islands at the south-eastern side of the central basin are believed to have been built as wind break measures or as part of a small archipelago off Aspen Island during development of the lake in the 1960s.
Identified as having high ecological and aesthetic values, the National Capital Authority has begun works to plant bird attracting native gass and plant species that can survive in hard soil and the exposed environment.
The isolated nature of the islands make them suitable for bird sanctuaries, free from predators. For the first time in their history A1 and A2 will receive occasional maintenance from the authority's crews, with access via boat.
Extensive clearing and tree removal was required before the work could begin, with cuttings and other waste having to be towed from the islands. A small number of mature trees were left in place.
National Capital Estate executive director Helen Badger said the authority couldn't find any record of maintenance being carried out in the past 50 years.
"We needed to clear all the vegetation that was here. People have no realised these islands were here, but now they've been cleared I think we've brought them to some people's attention," she said.
"Obviously people won't be able to come out to the islands, but we would like it to become a nice habitat for the birds and for it to be more visually attractive from Aspen Island and from the lake's shore."
In June, the authority ordered plant stock for the islands from the Yarralumla Nursery including 10 small trees, 82 shrubs and 1100 grasses. Planting work of species, including silver banksia, varnish wattle, common cassinia and basket grass, began on Monday and is expected to take about two weeks. The new plantings will be watered over the summer months.
"It has cost us a bit of money but we think that's important as it hasn't looked that great for a long time now," Ms Badger said.
Aspen Island was officially gazetted in November 1963, named for the aspen tree. There are no plans to rename the smaller islands after they receive much needed attention.
The redevelopment is being completed in accordance with the Lake Burley Griffin and surrounding areas management plan and the Aspen Island heritage management plan.
