A major Australian infrastructure milestone has moved forward this week, after Tasmanian officials confirmed two bidding consortia have advanced to the final tender phase for Hobart’s $1.13 billion Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium, a project that will pave the way for Tasmania’s first Australian Football League (AFL) team.
Announcing the shortlist on Sunday, Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Minister Eric Abetz framed the selection as a critical step forward for the transformative development. The project, which will repurpose a long-abandoned industrial site at Macquarie Point into a year-round events and community precinct, is projected to deliver widespread economic and social benefits across the entire island state.
“This is another important step forward for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium,” Abetz said in his statement. “We have seen strong interest from major contractors capable of delivering a project of this scale and complexity. We are delivering for Tasmania by turning a wasteland into a year-round events and function precinct that will provide benefits for all Tasmanians.”
The two candidates moving into the request for tender phase are Brisbane-based construction firm Besix Watpac, and a joint venture bringing together three specialist contractors: Italy’s Webuild S.p.A, Australian engineering firm McConnell Dowell, and China Construction Oceania.
China Construction Oceania, the Australian regional subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a Chinese state-owned construction giant, brings extensive prior experience delivering major infrastructure across Australia. The firm was previously selected as a contractor for the Victoria state government’s $12 billion North-East Link motorway project, one of the largest road developments in the country’s recent history.
In this next stage of the procurement process, both shortlisted bidders will be required to submit detailed proposals covering their project delivery strategy, commercial terms, construction timeline, and plans for engaging local Tasmanian industry and businesses. The Tasmanian government expects to award the main construction contract by the end of 2024.
New architectural renderings of the stadium, designed by Cox Architecture, were released publicly alongside the masterplan announcement earlier this week. When complete, the venue will serve as the home ground for the newly created Tasmania Devils AFL club, which is scheduled to join the national professional competition starting in 2028. The stadium’s construction was a non-negotiable core requirement from the AFL to approve the creation of Tasmania’s first permanent AFL franchise.
Beyond the stadium itself, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation unveiled the full precinct masterplan earlier this week, which includes proposed new commercial hubs, residential neighbourhoods, and public open space that will transform the former industrial site into a vibrant mixed-use district for Hobart residents and visitors alike.