The way has been cleared for work to start on the $50 million Rydges-branded hotel at the Gold Coast Airport precinct after the Federal Government approved the iconic project.

Approval of the hotel’s Major Development Plan (MDP) by Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack, which was prepared by airport owner Queensland Airports Limited, paves the way for the developer to move ahead with construction.

The hotel development will create 90 construction jobs and more than 60 jobs post-construction.

QAL CEO Chris Mills said he expected work to start on the important project before the end of the year.

“This is a great project for the airport, and for the Gold Coast and northern NSW,” he said.

“Visitors to the region will appreciate the hotel, which is close to both the beautiful Gold Coast beaches and the airport. And locals will use it too, especially those catching early morning flights.

“An airport hotel is something that has been missing at Gold Coast Airport and now that we have the approval, we can move ahead with another important part of our development plan designed to further activate the precinct and accommodate growth.”

The seven-storey hotel, with views over Kirra Beach and across the runway, will include a rooftop bar and viewing deck, with 192 rooms and suites.

Developer Trepang, associated with John Robinson and Nick Paspaley, has delivered hotels in Darwin, including two airport hotels.

Gold Coast Airport is on the move. By 2020 the airport will contribute $818 million annually to the region and support about 20,000 full time jobs. Gold Coast Airport welcomed 6.6 million passengers heading to and from south east Queensland and Northern NSW last financial year. Passenger numbers are expected to reach 16.6 million annually by 2037.