The ACT Property Council developed the list to guide Government decision-making and synchronise services with population growth.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope issued the 20-year infrastructure plan yesterday, saying the Government was one step behind the council in strategic infrastructure planning.

He acknowledged the ACT needed to bridge the gap.

Before October's ACT election, the Government was criticised for not consulting on matters such as site selection for the proposed $1billion gas-fired power station and data centre. Mr Stanhope pledged yesterday to conduct a ''renewed and reinvigorated'' conversation with the Canberra community on infrastructure priorities and urban development, beginning next year.

At the top of the council's list is a Very Fast Train linking Sydney and Canberra to reduce carbon emissions, counter rising fuel prices and be an example of nation building, with links to Canberra and Sydney airports and east-coast capital cities.

Property Council executive director Catherine Carter said the list was developed from a multi-criteria analysis identifying projects that would deliver economic, social and environmental benefits.

It concentrated on projects considered achievable within 10 years and regionally significant that is, worth more than $40 million.

Mr Stanhope said a business case had been made for light rail in the ACT, but the territory could not afford to deliver it alone, unless it could leverage off increased land prices from changes in housing density.

''[That] is part of the conversation we have to have about the urban form along transport corridors, and could apply that through the private sector.''

Mr Stanhope said several of the property council's priorities coincided with the Government's own thinking, including the VFT and upgrade of the Monaro Highway, which had been submitted to Infrastructure Australia for funding consideration. John Thistleton