Christopher James Ward, 74, was charged following the two-car collision at a Florey intersection which claimed the life of his daughter Acacia Ward, in July 2015.

Police said at the time the Nissan Pulsar, driven by Ward, had collided with a Nissan Navara at the intersection about 7pm on July 22.

Ward had been travelling west on Southern Cross Drive and the Pulsar had been turning right into Chewings Street when the two cars crashed.

The defendant and the driver of the Navara were not physically injured but were traumatised by the smash, police said.

Paramedics treated Acacia at the scene but she was later pronounced dead at Calvary Hospital.

Ward initially pleaded not guilty to negligent driving causing death and failure to give way at an intersection, and was set to fight the charges at hearing in the ACT Magistrates Court.

But the case stalled when authorities and a private contractor failed to produce signs that had been at the intersection at the time of the crash, prompting Ward's defence lawyers to launch a bid for the charges to be at least temporarily stayed.

That decision was knocked back and the case landed in the higher court, where a judge vacated the original hearing date and granted a brief stay of proceedings.

Ward returned to court on Wednesday, represented by Legal Aid, when he switched his plea to guilty to negligent driving causing death. The second charge was dismissed.

The case returns to court on February 15 for sentence.

Acacia, who was in Year 2 at Kaleen Primary School, was remembered after her death as an outgoing girl and brilliant musician who wanted to become prime minister of Australia.

Her mother, Linda Ward, paid tribute to her daughter as a confident and outgoing girl who was capable of making anyone smile within minutes of meeting her.

"She was a dancer, a musician, a performer, and when you were with her you could not help but smile yourself," she said.

The talented student could read novels above her age and tutored her mother, who migrated from China 13 years ago, in English.

Mrs Ward said Acacia could have achieved everything she wanted in life because she was a hard worker, naturally gifted and emotionally mature.

"I once asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up and she said; 'If I'm not a famous star then I will be the prime minister, but with the Greens, as people should look after the environment'."

Ward said his daughter would always be remembered as a brilliant ray of sunshine and a young girl who was loved by her community.