Owners of three bed and breakfast businesses on Northbourne Avenue in Downer have warned they face serious economic loss from planned service road closures connected with the light rail project.
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A National Capital Authority public information session on Tuesday night heard the Miranda Lodge, the Blue and White Lodge, the Canberran Lodge and Northbourne Lodge would all suffer access problems and loss of business through the closure of a service road connecting Swinden Street and Antill Street, adjacent to Northbourne.
![An artist's impression of the Capital Metro Gungahlin tram line. Photo: Supplied An artist's impression of the Capital Metro Gungahlin tram line. Photo: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/1795f8d7-9638-4c16-9f03-574bfc4f7625/r0_0_2000_1124_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Blue and White Lodge owners Michael Papas and Mary Constantine said their 50-year-old business relied in part on business from drivers arriving in Canberra, who would be forced to drive further down Northbourne Avenue and double back in order to access accommodation.
The closure of the service road had only recently been explained to the business owners, including manager of the Miranda Lodge, Siyang Yu.
Mr Papas said deliveries, rubbish removal, laundry services and emergency vehicle access would all be affected by the changing road arrangements. He and other business owners will petition for the service road to remain open.
"Many of the drivers coming into the city see our sign and stop to see what we are on about before they consider other options for where to stay," he said after the meeting.
"Our regulars come in that way, as well as other prospective customers. Maybe the government weren't aware that this was going to happen … but they haven't looked at these businesses closely. It is our lifeline."
"The service road provides us with everything," Ms Constantine said. "Our customers and go through that road … as well as our suppliers. How are we going to get those services?
"Our business has provided for two families for 49 years, so we're doing well. If this happens, it will be the end of that."
Major construction works for the tram project are due to get under way in October, coinciding with the ACT election. Some associated road work and relocation of underground utilities will begin in May or June.
Authority chief planner Andrew Smith answered questions about the works approval process for nearly an hour, encouraging residents and business owners to make submissions to the consultation process.
The authority has responsibility for some aspects of the design and landscaping of Northbourne Avenue, as well as the national areas of Canberra including the parliamentary triangle.
A separate development application process, considering modifications planned by the Canberra Metro consortium, is also under way at the territory level. A further works approval application to the authority is expected in coming months dealing with aspects of the project's design, including for passenger stops.
Some participants at the consultation were critical of engagement by the ACT government and the Capital Metro Agency.
One man who said he lived in the Northbourne Avenue public housing precinct accused the ACT government of a using the project as a conspiracy to benefit large international corporations and the preservation of the global political order.
The public consultation period runs until March 18.
The National Capital Authority board will consider findings from the month-long process at a board meeting on April 14.