The major redevelopment of Canberra's Northbourne Avenue has kicked-off with the demolition of the Dickson flats.

For almost 60 years, the three Dickson Towers have stood beside Canberra's main thoroughfare, but after the demolition, only one will remain.

Originally built as accommodation for public servants, in recent decades the towers have descended into disrepair as public housing.

Many in the community, including ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, consider them ugly, with the Government planning to sell the land to developers to help pay for light rail.

But the demolition almost did not happen when the Government became locked in a three-way battle with the ACT Heritage Council and National Trust.

One of the original three Dickson Towers public housing buildings will remain standing. ( ABC News )

The Heritage Council argued the 1960s flats reflected a unique era in Canberra's history, describing them as an example of post-war international-style architecture.

In September, the Heritage Council reached a compromise with the Government to protect 17 buildings.

The Government, then in November, used its controversial call-in powers to approve the demolition of public housing along Northbourne Avenue and fast-track redevelopment in the precinct.

This morning Mr Barr said he was disappointed not all the buildings would be demolished.

"I think life goes on and you get on with what you can get on with," he said.

"Sometimes it takes a Chief Minister to push a little harder in order to get a little bit more done, more quickly in this city and I'm prepared to do that.

"A number of people have been very keen to see this development project commence and to see some real signs that Northbourne Avenue is about to begin a transformation."

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr expressed frustration that 17 buildings in the Northbourne public housing precinct were protected from demolition. ( ABC News: Ian Cutmore )

The National Trust had been hoping to save the entire Northbourne public housing precinct and preserve the total history of the site.

National Trust's heritage spokesman Eric Martin said the decision to preserve only a few buildings was a "disappointing outcome", and the design result was "not going to be beneficial to anybody".

"We haven't had the opportunity to clearly articulate and agree to what the significance of the site is," he said.

"Unfortunately with the Minister's call in powers last year that opportunity was taken away from us and demolition is now proceeding, which I think is a very unfortunate outcome."

The demolition and clean up is expected to take some weeks to complete.