Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor says he would welcome Brisbane Roar to the region

The new mayor of one of Queensland’s biggest councils has made a bold move to snag the state’s top football club.

Brisbane Roar play in front of a sold out crowd at Dolphin Stadium.

THE new Mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council has made a bold move to snag the state’s top football club.

It comes after reports last week that A-league Club Brisbane Roar had threatened to quit its Logan base due to a dispute with Logan City Council over its water bill.

The three-times A-League football champions were enticed to a new base at Heritage Park in Logan in 2017.

But the club has been hit with $150,000 in council bills.

Roar CEO David Pourre says the club was told it would not have to pay any fees.

Rumours have been circling among southeast Queensland community football clubs that Roar is looking to move to under-utilised South Pine Sports Complex at Brendale.

Mr Pourre said last week: “We are hoping this will be solved because we love the premises, but we do have a backup plan in another area.”

Brisbane Roar wouldn’t comment any further on the matter or to disclose where the backup location was.

Brisbane Roar CEO David Pourre.

But Moreton Bay Regional Council’s new mayor Peter Flannery said he’d drive to Logan today if it would bring business to the region.

He stopped short of confirming the club had approached the council but he did welcome the prospect.

“I’ll drive down to Logan right now to have a chat with CEO David Pourre right now if the Roar means business,” Mayor Flannery said.

“Moreton Bay proudly boasts world class sporting facilities, we’re seeking to elevate the level of competition being played here and locals are mad about their love of sport, so I think this could be the perfect fit.”

South Pine Sports Complex at Brendale is under used.

Brisbane Roar’s top women’s and men’s teams have both played at Dolphin Stadium, at Kippa-Ring, several times in the past two years.

The men’s games played last year at Dolphin Stadium were due to concerts being held at the club’s usual home stadium at Suncorp.

But with dwindling crowd numbers the club loses money in stadium fees when it plays at Suncorp.

Earlier this year Roar said it was looking to play more games at Redcliffe.

“The Roar game at Dolphins last year was one of the highlights of the 2019 sporting calendar, the cheers of that crowd are still ringing in my ears,” Cr Flannery said.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery. Picture: Renae Droop/RDW Photography

“We have a strong existing partnership with the Roar, they’ve played a number of sold out matches here at Dolphin Stadium, and we’d roll out the red carpet to make that happen again.

“Moreton Bay Regional Council would absolutely welcome the opportunity to have the Brisbane Roar base themselves in our region.”

If it were to happen it could be just one of two top-flight sporting teams based in the Moreton Bay Region with Redcliffe Dolphins making a push to be the next NRL team.

“I’ve said that Moreton Bay is open for business, Council is ready to do business, and we are keen to talk with major players – whether that be Brisbane Roar or Microsoft,” Cr Flannery said.

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“Everything is on the table in Moreton Bay Region right now when it comes to charting a path to economic recovery.

“So I’ll again make it loud and clear; Moreton Bay is open for business and we’re working to supercharge our region’s major events program to support those businesses hit hardest by COVID-related closures.”