City of Sydney council, Lord Mayor Clover Moore join Rabbitohs’ Allianz Stadium battle against the Roosters

The City of Sydney has joined the bitter Allianz Stadium turf war, with Lord Mayor Clover Moore set to call on NSW Premier Chris Minns to bring the Rabbitohs back to Moore Park.

City of Sydney has blasted into the bitter Allianz Stadium war between South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters by unanimously passing a range of motions aimed at inducing the Rabbitohs back to Moore Park.

Councillor Olly Arkins has called on Lord Mayor Clover Moore to contact NSW Premier Chris Minns, Sports Minister Steve Kamper and Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather to “formally express the City of Sydney’s strong support for the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ relocation to Allianz Stadium.”

Moore will also inform Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of council’s stance and to “acknowledge his long support for this outcome.”

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO, is set to contact NSW Premier Chris Minns express the City of Sydney’s support for the Rabbitohs’ relocation to Allianz Stadium. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

Labor councillor Arkins contacted this masthead on Thursday to reveal the motion, declaring the return of Souths to Moore Park would bring with them “substantial economic benefits” to the local tourism hospitality and retail sectors.

“(Allianz Stadium is) a world-class taxpayer-funded asset, designed to be a multi-code and multi-club venue which hosts regular sporting events,” Arkins said.

“The surrounding precinct cannot thrive on 10 home games from the Eastern Suburbs Roosters alone.”

The Roosters, Souths’ bitter rivals since 1908, are the only NRL team to call Allianz Stadium home, but they do share the venue with rival codes. A-League club Sydney FC (13 games) and Super Rugby side the NSW Waratahs (seven games) hosted matches at Allianz regularly this season and have used the venue as a home ground for many years.

The NSW State Government last week denied Souths a move back to the east. Picture: Richard Dobson

“That the South Sydney Rabbitohs Football Club have a longstanding history with the Sydney Football Stadium, having played home games at Moore Park from 1908-1948, and then again from 1988-2005,” Arkins said in the motion.

“That the Rabbitohs’ special, longstanding connection with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, acknowledging its role in Indigenous advocacy and within Australian sport.

“South Sydney’s historical significance as the oldest club to still be competing in first grade rugby league and the Rabbitohs’ strong community connection, through its active involvement in the Souths Juniors rugby league competitions, and the critical local programs delivered by Souths Cares.

“That (council) chief executive officer (Monica Barone) be requested to share information about council’s support for this important community issue, including any relevant petitions and updates, across the City of Sydney’s social media platforms and communication channels.”

City of Sydney belive Allianz Stadium needs more than just ‘10 home games from the Eastern Suburbs Roosters’ a year to thrive. Picture: Getty Images

Roosters management is preferring to remain silent on the issue, privately insisting Souths have a contract at Accor Stadium until 2031, which should be honoured. And that the State Government has spent around $120m upgrading Accor Stadium in recent years.

Some at the Roosters - which is the only club to have played in every season of the top-flight rugby league competition since 1908 - claim the State Government may step in soon after becoming frustrated at the ongoing headlines this has created.

The State Government last week denied Souths a move back to the east. The government, via Venues NSW, operates Allianz Stadium, not City of Sydney.

Souths took to social media on Thursday, asking fans to sign an online petition, which already has 15,000 names, in support of an Allianz return.

“We’re not done. Not even close,” the post read.

Arkins also asked Moore to inform “the CEO of the South Sydney Rabbitohs football club, Blake Solly, to advise the council’s support to formally welcome the Rabbitohs back home to the City of Sydney.”

All motions were carried unanimously.

Originally published as City of Sydney council, Lord Mayor Clover Moore join Rabbitohs’ Allianz Stadium battle against the Roosters