Future residential development around Brisbane Airport would pose a threat to its operations and economic growth, operators say.

The claims were made in a submission by Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) to the Federal Government, which is currently conducting a national aviation review.

BAC has asked Transport Minister Anthony Albanese to prevent "suburban sprawl", insisting inappropriate development could spell the airport's demise.

"What has happened elsewhere in the world is that residential development has crept closer and closer to airports and those communities have complained about airport noise," BAC spokesman Jim Carden said.

"Ironically, those airports have then had to shutdown or restrict their operations."

Brisbane Airport has a 6.7 kilometre "buffer zone" - the largest in the country - in which there is no community or housing activity.

However Mr Carden said there was potential for that to change, which could threaten the airport's current and future operations.

The construction of a new airport runway may not be complete until 2020, and BAC fears much could happen in that time.

"It would be very regrettable if that new runway's operations were restricted because of bad planning... we need to take the opportunity now to preserve our buffer zone."

The short-term gains from developing land for housing would not be worth the long-term problems associated with it, he said.

BAC wants the Airport Act, which sees planning at international airports regulated by the Federal Government, to be strengthened and "reaffirmed".

The Act means local authorities and the State Government have no say over planning and development at the airport.

Brisbane City Council initially challenged the development of the Direct Factory Outlet retail precinct, citing concerns over increased traffic, but ultimately settled its claim with the airport.

"We ended up with a very satisfactory outcome with council... it was a thorough vindication of the Airport Act.

"However people still point at the DFO as being all that is wrong with airport planning, and yet - apart from the opening weekend - we have not had any traffic impacts caused by that development."

Measures were taken to mitigate potential traffic problems, including delaying the centre's opening hours, he said.

Diversifying its revenue streams through commercial and development ventures was "critical" to ensuring Brisbane Airport's future, he said.

Of the airport's 2700ha site, at least 1000ha had been set aside for development.

In its submission, the airport has also expressed concern about building heights in the CBD, and claims going higher in the city will have an impact on its operations.

"We make the point in our submission that local planning authorities must be mindful of the impacts of all types of developments, including building heights.

"In the quest for a particular building height, the impact on navigation and airspace could be overlooked.

"The consequence of that is you have to move flight paths, so that could see aircraft redirected over suburban Brisbane - that is not a good outcome."

A discussion paper based on submissions from airports will now be produced.

source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au