Canberrans will have to wait for another two years to see whether the capital makes the national heritage list after federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt extended the decision deadline to June 2017.
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Heritage experts have been calling for wider public discussion of the two proposals initially submitted in 2009.
Heritage advocate Ed Wensing has written to Mr Hunt urging him to use his discretion under section 324H of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and open the process to public comment before the maximum period for deliberation expires on June 30, 2017.
"He has that discretion and it gives an opportunity to discuss the idea in more detail," he said.
Mr Wensing, who was involved in the national heritage listings of Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building and the Sydney Opera House, said myths about the impacts of the potential listing were muddying the debate.
He said the debate on the proposed listings had been one of fear rather than fact.
"The notion that heritage will prevent the further growth and development of the city really needs to be debunked," Mr Wensing said.
"The national heritage proposals in this case are not about freezing the current built environment. It's about protecting the underlying planning principals that created the city in the first place."
Mr Hunt explained the gazettal notice's extension was to "allow for further consultation with interested parties and management agencies".
Mr Wensing said prior to granting a listing, a management plan had to be devised and in place.
"So far as I know, no preparatory work has been done on a management plan," he said.
"Therefore the minister can't make a decision tomorrow."
He said it would be a long road ahead to convince the ACT government of the merits of the proposal.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr told the federal government in March he had concerns the "listing and the associated regulatory burden would have negative impact on jobs and the economy in the ACT by hitting business confidence and investment".
