Sydney Seaplanes, which landed a test flight on the lake late last year, wants to run three daily return flights to Sydney, while South Coast Seaplanes wants to offer tourist flights from Canberra.

A National Capital Authority discussion paper, to be released on Saturday, says a floating pontoon would needed to be added to an existing jetty on the lake - most likely at the National Museum - but the impact of the flights on the lake would otherwise be limited.

A heritage consultant found the noise and disturbance of seaplanes landing had a minor adverse impact on the quiet and still heritage values of the lake.

"However, the infrequency of operations and temporary nature of these operations ensured the degree of impact was minimal," the National Capital Authority said.

The paper said the Sydney Seaplanes proposal would have two landings and two departures from the lake each day, the first at 10am and the last departure at 4pm.

"Each landing and take-off would involve the aircraft manoeuvring on the lake for approximately five minutes, a total of 20 minutes per day," the paper says.

Refuelling, if needed, would be from a certified mobile trailer.

The discussion paper said current lake users had expressed their concerns about safety and potential disruption, but seaplane operators were used to sharing congested waterways with other users.

"Prior to a decision being made to allow seaplane operations on the lake, the NCA would explore the preparation of a similar guide to manage user expectations and guide lake use in the vicinity of the areas where seaplanes are permitted to land, take-off and taxi," the discussion paper said.

The grey-headed flying fox colony in Commonwealth Park, managed by the National Capital Authority, remained calm during a seaplane trial flight, and flight times could be stipulated to avoid conflict with the colony's nightly fly-out time, the discussion paper said.

A test flight, operated by Sydney Seaplanes, landed on Lake Burley Griffin in December.

The company's chief executive, Andrew Shaw, said at the time the flights would shave hours off a regular airport-to-airport flight, cutting commute times.

He said business and government travel would be the primary customers with the potential to nab tourists during Canberra's biggest annual events.

"Where we see an opportunity is getting people off the road. Last year 9 million people were driving between Sydney and Canberra," Mr Shaw said.

The flights are expected to cost about $300 each way, and carry 14 passengers.

The National Capital Authority's discussion paper revealed a second operator, South Coast Seaplanes, wants to run a limited number of tourist-focused flights from Lake Burley Griffin, with a focus on international visitors.

"South Coast Seaplanes has indicated that operations would initially focus on short scenic seaplane operations around Canberra, using Maule aircraft (a single-engine aircraft with short take-off and landing capability)," the discussion paper said.

The discussion paper said South Coast Seaplanes would run flights one or two days a week in business houses, and look to expand to destinations on the south coast and in the Snowy Mountains.

"The growth in number of services would be determined by demand and only with the agreement of the [National Capital Authority] after consideration of the impact on other lake users," the discussion paper said.

Public submissions to the discussion paper close on July 22.

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