An artist's impression of Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport. Photo: Supplied
Graham Quirk has voiced his opposition to a new airport near Toowoomba bearing Brisbane's name.
However, the city's Lord Mayor says he is powerless to effect a name change.
Speaking to 612 ABC Brisbane breakfast host Spencer Howson on Tuesday morning, Cr Quirk said he was concerned the name of the new airport, 130 kilometres west of Brisbane, would mislead visitors.
An artist's impression of the terminal at Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport. Photo: Supplied
"It is what it is but I am concerned about it from a reputational point of view," he said.
"130 kilometres away is a significant distance.
"I am worried about people getting here and being faced with that sort of drive, but I can't change it."
The Wagner family's Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, about 17 kilometres west of Toowoomba's CBD, is currently under construction and is on track for an April completion date.
It will be the first privately funded major public airport in Australia.
Wagners chairman John Wagner told Fairfax Media last week he expected major commercial flights to fly in and out of the airport by September.
"Toowoomba is the second biggest inland city in Australia, with a population of 165,000," he said.
"We've got a catchment area, excluding Ipswich and its surrounds, of 344,000 and we don't have an airport."
Toowoomba regional mayor Paul Antonio said the airport would have wide economic implications for the region, largely for its agricultural sector.
Cr Quirk did not oppose the construction of the airport but said he had spoken to the Wagner family about its name.
"I have had discussions with the Wagners and they may well get complaints from people themselves," he said.
"In terms of the airport name I'm concerned about it from the regional perspective in the reputational sense.
"Hopefully we can get some common sense to prevail but legally can I change it? No I can't."
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