Central Coast bid chairman Russell Tate has asked the NRL to "please explain" the growing speculation that the rival Gold Coast bid was being groomed for the 16th team.

Tate said he wrote to NRL CEO David Gallop and received assurances the Gold Coast's inclusion in 2007 was not a "done deal".

Tate said he was also alarmed by NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley's meeting with the rival consortium and Gold Coast council on Wednesday.

"We wrote to him (Gallop) and basically said `we keep reading about the Gold Coast, that this is a done deal, can you confirm for us that it is no more than media speculation'?" he said.

The Gold Coast bid on Wednesday claimed to have removed a major stumbling block to its inclusion after it discussed with the local council the possibility of footing the entire $50 million bill for a new stadium.

After attending a meeting including Annesley and bid members, Gold Coast mayor Ron Clarke hinted they would be granted the 16th franchise if the council came on board.

Tate said he was "bemused" by Clarke's comments considering the NSW consortium was already armed with Gosford's Central Coast Stadium which hosts NRL games.

"We are continually bemused when every day you read something about the Gold Coast," Tate said.

"It was fascinating to hear today that someone said they might actually have an oval - for goodness' sake has anyone ever been to the bloody Central Coast?

"Haven't they seen an oval there?"

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