An expanded and redeveloped Canberra Airport will bring $1.23billion to the region's economy, according to the Tourism and Transport Forum.
The figures come from the group's submission to Queanbeyan City Council, opposing plans to rezone Tralee, south of the city, for housing.
The Tourism and Transport Forum represents major airports, airlines and other companies in the tourism sector.
''TTF and our members have consistently argued that there is overwhelming evidence against residential development at Tralee,'' the group's submission reads.
Canberra Airport is spending $350 million on a big expansion for its terminals and surrounding precinct.
The forum estimated the expansion would bring $1.23 billion in spending to the Canberra region.
It would also create $280 million in wages and salaries for 6650 workers.
Queanbeyan council wants to rezone land at Tralee, south of the city, to allow a new development that will add schools, shopping and thousands of new homes to the region.
But the Tralee development lies under the Canberra Airport flight path and airport management fears the proposal will scupper its plans to turn Canberra into a 24-hour freight hub.
For more on this story, see today's Canberra Times.
Email a friend