League head to make Sydney home

RUGBY league’s most passionate Queenslander is quitting the Sunshine State to buy a new $3 million home in one of Sydney’s trendiest suburbs.

Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie will run rugby league when he takes over as chairman of the independent commission early next year.

Beattie and wife Heather have taken out a mortgage to buy a house in Balmain East.

It is believed the home cost more than $3 million, showing how serious Beattie is about the move.

It means he will be able to take over as the most powerful figure in the game within the next two months – and have a “hands-on” role in the running of the game .

Beattie will make the Balmain property his principle place of residence, only 11km away from NRL headquarters, so he can work closely with CEO Todd Greenburg, rather than make occasional visits to Sydney. He will commute between the two cities while he completes his role as chairman of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

The move is in stark contrast to outgoing chairman John Grant, who stays at the flash Intercontinental Hotel when he travels to Sydney.