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He pushed the message that it was time for the Rum City to put pen to paper and prove to the NRL that this region wants a team.

The team want 2500 signatures in the next three months - a figure they think is entirely possible and one that will catch the eye of NRL boss David Gallop.

"We are putting together a strategy here for Bundaberg and if it works we will replicate that across the regions," Keefe said.

"There is an influential, dynamic group to work with here and between us we can set some objectives and timelines we think are achievable."

Support for the proposed team has been mixed in Bundaberg, with many doubting the Rockhampton-side will get off the ground and others fearing it will tear apart the local competition.

But Keefe and Bundaberg Bid Team member Peter Hamilton stressed that the expansion would only benefit local players and the standard of Bundaberg league.

"A team in Rocky would give Bundaberg youngsters a clear pathway to the NRL, and the possibility of a feeder club based in Bundaberg," Keefe said.

Hamilton added that the calibre of coaches and ex-players already affiliated with the CQ side would rub off on Bundaberg.

"Jason Hetherington has already coached the CQ side with (Gin Gin junior) Sam Bernstrom in the team," Hamilton said.

"Sam has done well and is now playing on the Sunshine Coast, but with a side up here he would not have needed to move."

Isis Town and Country journalist Gary Hutchison is also on the bid team.

A former masseur for the New South Wales State of Origin team, Hutchison lives and breathes rugby league.

"It's six in one, half a dozen in the other," Hutchison said, referring to fans driving to either Rockhampton or Brisbane to watch a game of NRL.

"But you'll find people from regional areas are much more likely to support a CQ team than a Brisbane team.

"It comes back to the old city versus country mentality," he said.

Speaking from experience, Keefe stressed the need for Bundaberg to jump on board.

The former North Queensland Cowboys boss said the club was at its worst when it depended solely on Townsville's support.

"It was dysfunctional - and the CQ side won't work if it's Rocky-centric," he said.

"That's why we are purposefully starting in Bundaberg."