Labor backbencher Meegan Fitzharris has flagged the possible closure of one of Gungahlin's busiest streets as part of a plan to make the town centre more pedestrian and family friendly.
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Ms Fitzharris has asked the community for its feedback on possible changes to traffic conditions on Hibberson Street, between Gozzard Street and Gungahlin Place West.
Options for the area could include a total ban on cars, a new share way space, reduced speed limits for cars of 20 kilometres per hour or nighttime only access for motorists.
Residents, workers and visitors can give their views in a new survey posted online and set to be distributed in the area. The results of the survey will be presented to Roads and Planning Minister Mick Gentleman for consideration.
The move comes ahead of the government's planned light rail development, which will include a new terminus stop at the top of Hibberson Street. The tram line is expected to lead to a pedestrian and tram only zone between Hinder Street and Gungahlin Place East by 2019.
Redevelopment work on a nearby supermarket will also see part of Hibberson Street closed from mid-October until December this year, making way for underground construction.
Ms Fitzharris said the new ACT government office block, expanded retail, apartments and education offerings and more traffic around the town centre had increased the risk to pedestrians and cyclists.
"My aim would be putting people first on Hibberson Street, rather than cars and buses as is currently the case," Ms Fitzharris said.
"At the moment I have a personal preference to make sure it is safe and useable for people both day and night which is why I am not yet convinced on shutting it down permanently but the majority of people I speak to say that's their view."
Changes to traffic in the area could also see new landscaping, signage, bike racks and street furniture added to the street.
Depending on the range of views from business and the community, Ms Fitzharris said she could push for changes as soon as early 2016.
She said consultation would include tenants, owners, shopping centre management, the Gungahlin Community Council and residents' groups. Closing the street to traffic would also require minor changes to bus service routes.
"The results might be something I don't expect, so we could take the results back out again and talk to people about the next step," she said.
"I think the good thing about this is any solution in the scheme of the entire ACT budget is probably likely quite a low cost solution - but I would see it as a low cost high impact solution."
On Monday, Ms Fitzharris announced a series of road works funded by the 2015-16 ACT budget would begin in September.
Gungahlin Community Council president Ewan Brown said proper road diversions were needed around the town centre, but many members of the community would welcome the road being closed to traffic.
"We really want to pedestrianise the whole of Hibberson Street, and make it pedestrian friendly with more eateries and more outdoor activities."
"The real concern is if you turn into Gungahlin Place West ... that is supposed to be the new bus interchange which will work in with the light rail," he said.
"We'd be happy to see it as a pedestrian precinct. It would be good to see it jazzed up but I've been pushing for proper traffic bypasses around the city and I don't think they've been factored in yet."
