The latest stumbling block to the government's plans to bulldoze the run-down buildings could take until at least June to be resolved by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal as the National Trust seeks to have all of the 1950s and 1960s buildings retained.

Last month the ACT Heritage Council gave permanent protection to about 40 per cent of the buildings - including the Dickson Towers, pair-houses, three-storey flats, maisonettes and garden flats.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr described the halfway point protection decision as "absurd" and out of touch with what the wider community wanted. He said the government would pursue all options to continue with its plans for all but complete demolition to make way for about 1100 new apartments.

ACT National Trust spokesman Eric Martin confirmed the appeal had been lodged on Friday, starting the 120-day review process.

The National Trust argues all the relevant expert reports had found the whole precinct had historic value.

Mr Martin said the Heritage Council's ruling had also given premature consideration to options for redevelopment as no development application had yet been made.

"The suggestion that the features intrinsic to heritage significance of the place are less than the whole is inappropriate as all elements should be included as indicated in the statement of significance," Mr Matin said.

"The token sample is considered inappropriate to reflect all the heritage values as the planning, massing and design elements, which are considered important components, will not be fully realised."

The government wants to sell the area as part of plans for $400 million in public asset sales, which will also attract $60 million in bonus payments from the federal government to be spent on the light rail project.

Mr Barr believes one of the towers and one building on the Lyneham side of Northbourne Avenue should be kept for heritage preservation. Videos, photographs and other media could be used to retain the value of the other post-war architecture after demolition.

The Property Council and other organisations backed the government's position. The newly appointed Heritage Council chairman David Flannery said on Tuesday he was yet to discuss the precinct with other council members and government officials.

The Environment and Planning Directorate had approved the demolition of two of the three Dickson Towers, which each contain 21 bedsits and were used by single men until last year.

Mr Barr did not rule out a government appeal on the council's February decision and flagged using special legislation if required as a last resort.

A spokesman said the government was holding firm and considering its options.

Protection was given to the precinct because of its "considerable significance for its creative achievement including its architectural style, as a distinctive design of exceptional interest, as a rare and notable example of types of public housing".

It was found to meet five criteria for heritage registration, including technical and creative achievement, as providing evidence of a distinctive function, as a rare or unique example of its kind and strong associations with people or groups.

Documents released as part of the ACT's involvement in the Abbott government's "asset recycling" scheme identify a range of public housing building to be sold.

Information related to the proceeds, reinvestment value and timing of payments is redacted ahead of business cases being prepared.

A spokesman said business cases would be developed progressively for cabinet ahead of sales.

"Existing residents will be informed ahead of time and will be supported and given an opportunity to be involved in their own relocation," he said. "This process will occur progressively over a number of years."