The development at the former navy transmitting station site would see 416 homes built beside Lake Ginninderra for Defence families and public sale.

Conservationists and ecologists have fiercely opposed the plan which they say will destroy critically-endangered grasslands in Canberra's north-west.

In response to more than 100 signatures demanding the proposal be reconsidered, Defence Housing Australia released its revised plan earlier this month.

Conservation Council ACT Region executive director Helen Oakey said while the footprint of the new plan was different the impact was the same.

Ms Oakey said the new proposal was to protect Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands connected to Lawson south and Kaleen, while encroaching on critically-endangered Natural Temperate Grasslands to the north. She said about 14 hectares would be impacted in both plans.

Defence Housing said the redesign had reduced and reshaped the overall footprint in response to additional ecological and heritage studies.

"Feedback on the Lawson north proposal will be an important element of the project's success," a spokesperson said.

"The revised master plan is now open for comment and we look forward to hearing from the community."

The approved development would provide 150 homes for Defence personnel, with the remainder to be sold to the public.

Ms Oakey said the houses being proposed for public sale would be built on the most environmentally vulnerable land.

"The revised master plan shows that Defence Housing Australia is prepared to trade critically endangered habitats and threatened species to cross-subsidise housing for Defence personnel," she said.

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Friends of Grassland president Jamie Pittock said more than 500 native plant species called the habitat home and an even greater number of animal species.

Professor Pittock said natural temperate grasslands were once widespread across Australia but now just 1 per cent remained protected nationally.

He said the grasslands were home to critically endangered golden sun moths, vulnerable striped legless lizards and perunga grasshoppers.

"The fauna found in these grasslands is highly unique," Prof Pittock said.

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