The future developments were outlined as part of two government projects, “The City Plan” and “City to the Lake”, unveiled by the ACT Government on Tuesday.

The ACT Government spent $1 million on the plan and the Australian Government contributed a further $500,000 through its Liveable Cities Program. But the proposals speak in broad terms only, and do not include costings or a timeframe for most of the developments.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said plans for the latter project included the potential construction of an aquatic facility and urban beach, a rectangular sports stadium, a new convention centre and cultural facilities between West Basin and Anzac Parade. It would also make Parkes Way a split-level boulevard, linking West Basin and Civic.

Ms Gallagher said the two projects would play a role in making the city centre a “more dynamic, vibrant and sustainable place”.

“The City Plan will provide a blueprint for future infrastructure development, land release and incentives for redevelopment right across the city,” she said.

“It will guide our decision-making on what facilities and infrastructure are needed, where these should be located, and what should be the appropriate mix of land use.”

The City Plan is intended to provide more insight into the promised light rail network and guide planning for the future stages of the project, including possible routes to the inner south and Woden.

According to ACT Government materials, the City Plan is the first to look at the city as a whole, and aims to better integrate Canberra City with public transport, parklands, residential buildings and ANU and CIT campuses, determining facilities needed in the city and outlining a transport infrastructure program.

“It will guide our decision-making on what facilities and infrastructure are needed, where these should be located, and what should be the appropriate mix of land use,” Ms Gallagher said.

The City to Lake project, part of The City Plan, envisions a much changed southern end of the city centre, stretching from the West Basin to Anzac Parade, including Canberra Olympic Pool and the existing convention centre.

That is where a new convention centre, a rectangular stadium with the capacity to seat more than 30,000 people, a regional aquatic centre and an urban beach would be found.

Between 15,000 and 20,000 new residents would live in the precinct, attracted by a mix of apartments, shops and cultural facilities.

Parkes Way would become a split level road, with underground and surface options, and “strategically located” new, multi-use car parks would be built.

The City Plan will incorporate the Capital Metro Light Rail project, predicted to cost $600 million and currently the subject of a study on how it will link existing ACT public transport networks.

Gungahlin will be the first centre to be linked to the city by light rail, with linking the City with Kingston via Barton, and with Woden a possible second stage.

The ACT government is seeking $15 million funding for light rail from the Australian Government’s Nation Building program.

The first stage of the The City Plan project involved the input of a Project Reference Group, among them business representatives, Canberra CBD Ltd, the ANU and the Heart Foundation.

Now the government is accepting public feedback, so those interested in learning more or expressing an opinion can go to cityplan.act.gov.au, attend a free public seminar at the Canberra Museum and Gallery or view a project display at Suite 1, 72 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City until 21 May 2013.

Surveys on the projects can be completed at timetotalk.act.gov.au.

The Canberra Times reported on the first elements of the plans earlier on Tuesday, including apartments, restaurants and boardwalks along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.