BESIX Watpac has beaten Webuild to be named the preferred builder of Hobart’s Macquarie Point stadium.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the decision on social media today.
“This is it. Today we’re announcing our preferred builder for the new Mac Point stadium right here in Tassie,” Rockliff said.
“We’re on the cusp of billions of dollars of investment, thousands of jobs created and something that every Tasmanian can be truly proud of.”
BESIX Watpac led delivery of Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium. It is also part of a joint venture with John Holland building Brisbane’s Olympic stadium.
The two bidders were shortlisted in April after expressions of interest opened in January.
Under the expression of interest criteria, local participation made up 30% of the evaluation and apprentices had to complete at least 20% of total labour hours.
The firm will now negotiate a final price with the Macquarie Point Development Corporation, with a fixed-price contract due to be signed in December.
That is ahead of the January 2027 target set when expressions of interest opened.
The stadium’s official budget is $1.13 billion, but that figure has not been updated publicly since late last year.
Corporation chair Kim Evans has warned that releasing a new estimate before the tender evaluation was finished would compromise procurement integrity.
In May, the lower house passed a Greens motion calling for an updated cost estimate by August 11.
A second Greens motion ordering the estimate’s release was defeated 25-7 on August 12. Labor voted against it, despite backing the May motion.
The state’s contribution to the stadium is capped at $875 million.
Under a deal with MLC Bec Thomas, any costs above that cap must be covered through “value management”, a smaller scope or funding from the federal government, the AFL or Cricket Australia.
Webuild is being prosecuted by SafeWork NSW over two incidents on the Snowy 2.0 project, including one in 2022 in which the regulator alleges a broken drill hit two workers. The company has pleaded not guilty.
Bulk earthworks began in July, with Tasmanian company Hazell Brothers leading site preparation and archaeological investigations through to mid-2027.
Construction is due to finish in December 2030 and the stadium is not expected to host AFL games until 2031.
The stadium is a condition of Tasmania’s entry into the AFL, with the Devils set to debut in 2028.
