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Canberrans will be able to view seaplanes taking off from and landing on Lake Burley Griffin from this week, as trial flights for the scenic journey from Sydney begin.
- Once fully operational, the seaplanes will carry passengers between Sydney's Rose Bay and Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin
- The flights have drawn criticism from some, including the Canberra Yacht Club
- Scenic flights will also be on offer around the lake
The Sydney-Canberra route was first proposed more than a year ago and the trial flights are intended to confirm the "best arrangements to minimise disruption to those who use the lake for sporting and recreational activities", a statement from the National Capital Authority (NCA) said.
The planes will be seen taking off and landing in the lake's central and western basins, depending on weather conditions and other activities happening on the lake.
Two operators — Sydney Seaplanes and South Coast Seaplanes — are running the flights.
The companies already operate flights around Sydney and to the NSW South Coast, respectively.
In Canberra, trial flights will be seen at the lake between 9am and 4pm until tomorrow, while further trials are also set for Saturday and Sunday between the same hours.
The NCA said, during the trial period, more flights would be operating than what would be expected once the operations were approved and carrying passengers.
The best vantage points to view the planes are Commonwealth Place, Regatta Point, Acton Peninsula and the National Museum of Australia jetty.
The NCA reassured the public that the flights would not impact their activities on the lake.
"All lake users are encouraged to conduct their activity as they normally would," the NCA said in a statement.
"The seaplane pilot will find a safe landing place on the lake.
"The trial is being conducted to refine operating arrangements and is aimed at ensuring safety and shared use of the lake including no disruption to existing activities or current lake users."
Once up and running, the passenger flights will take people from Rose Bay in Sydney to Canberra, with morning flights arriving at 10am and departing at 10:30am, and afternoon flights landing at 3pm and departing at 4pm.
Scenic flights can also be run around Canberra, depending on demand.
The use of seaplanes on the lake has drawn ire from some in the community, with more than 65 per cent of public submissions rejecting the proposal.
In 2021, when the idea was being discussed, the Canberra Yacht Club said it presented a "significant risk" to the club's "continued existence", and threatened the safety of lake users.