He is understated and humble but Canberra Airport owner Terry Snow is now, according to the annual Rich List, Canberra's new - and only - billion dollar man.
The 2017 Financial Review Rich List, to be released in full on Friday, put Snow's wealth at $1 billion for the first time, up from $685 million in last year's list.
![Terry Snow (left) and Willinga Park eqestrian centre architect Chris Millman with dogs China and Holly.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170528101257im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/5/9/9/u/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwczz8.png/1495696758084.jpg)
He's also moved up the rankings in the list of Australia's 200 richest people from No.84 last year to No.59 this year,
Rich List editor John Stensholt said the sudden rise in Snow's wealth was due less to any financial windfalls and more to previous rich lists under-valuing the airport and surrounding precinct, which continued to appreciate.
In the five years to 2014, Canberra Airport invested more than $500 million in a redevelopment of its terminal precinct.
The airport property portfolio, which also included Majura Park and Brindabella Business Park, was valued at about $2.6 billion.
"Just the asset value of the airport is amazing," Stensholt said, adding Snow bought the airport from the federal government in 1998 for $65 million in what turned out to be a canny deal.
The AFR magazine reports Snow is also courting major Chinese airlines to start direct flights to Canberra.
![Canberra Airport owner Terry Snow is now worth $1 billion, according to the 2017 Financial Review Rich List.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170528101257im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/0/r/l/n/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwczz8.png/1495696758084.jpg)
Snow was the only Canberran on the 2017 Rich List which was topped by cardboard king Anthony Pratt, who has personal wealth of $12.6 billion. The cut-off to make the list this year was $341 million.
The AFR magazine has also focused on Snow's latest venture, the Willinga Park stockhorse stud and equestrian centre at his home away from home, Bawley Point, on the South Coast.
The magazine reports that Snow has invested $100 million in the equestrian centre.
Canberra-born Snow, 73, also gives back to the community. The Snow Foundation over the last 25 years has distributed $18.4 million to 235 organisations and more than 200 individuals.
The homegrown billionaire is also not adverse to helping out around the Bawley Point community, last year contributing $70,000 to restoration of the Bawley Point gantry.
Snow usually only reluctantly appears in the media when absolutely necessary for his business.
"He's not someone who really courts publicity. He keeps a fairly low profile," Stensholt said.
"He's a pretty humble guy if you want to compare him to other people on the list, no doubt.
"I mean, he hates being on the list, quite frankly."
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