A subsidiary of China’s State-owned construction mega company has been selected as one of the two firms to tender for the right to build a new waterfront stadium in Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania, Australia.
The construction work on the waterfront stadium is scheduled to begin in 2026 and is expected to go on stream in 2029. Engaging the local businesses in the Macquarie Point Stadium project in Hobart, Australia, is a key factor.
‘abc.net.au’ stated that Constructure Joint Venture and BESIX Watpac have been selected to take part in the tender exercise for the $1.13 billion Macquarie Point Stadium following success in the Expression of Interest phase.
The Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Eric Abetz termed the selection of the two tenderers as “another important step forward for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium”.
Added Abetz, “We have seen strong interest from major contractors capable of delivering a project of this scale and complexity.”
The 24,500-seat Macquarie Point Stadium is a multipurpose domed stadium to be constructed at Macquarie Point in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The site sits on a prominent waterfront land between Hobart’s historic port precinct and the city’s primary Northern arterial route.
The Macquarie Point Stadium design boasts a 1,500-person conference facility and gives top priority to universal accessibility with a continuous internal concourse facilitating step-free access throughout the venue.
With over a century of heritage in Australia, Queensland-based BESIX Watpac brings deep local knowledge, proven experience and trusted industry relationships to every project.
‘abc.net.au’ further stated that China Construction Oceania is one partner in Constructure Joint Venture. China Construction is the Australian-based subsidiary of the Chinese Government-owned China State Construction Engineering Corporation (a Chinese State-owned construction company headquartered in Beijing).
An Expression of Interest is a statement by a person, company, or investor that they plan to compete for an opportunity to do a job or become involved in a business.
The Italian firm Webuild S.p.A (an industrial group specializing in construction and civil engineering) and McConnell Dowell (New Zealand infrastructure construction company) is a part of the Constructure Joint Venture.
BESIX Watpac was also selected by the Queensland Government to be one of two final tenderers for the proposed Brisbane Stadium.
The Australia-based firm was involved in the construction of the recently completed $600 million stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The Tasmania Government hopes to award a contract to build the stadium by the end of 2026.
The stadium is expected to be completed by the end of 2030.
However, it will not be ready to host Australian Football League (AFL – the pre-eminent professional competition of Australian Rules football) fixtures until the start of the 2031 season.
Local Factor in Tender Process
The Macquarie Point Development Corporation Chief Executive Anne Beach did not reveal how many companies had expressed interest in the build but told newsmen that multiple companies had.
The first stage of the tender process of the Hobart waterfront stadium will see the Government seek “covering delivery approach, capability, commercial settings, program, and local industry participation”.
Abetz indicated he was keen on pursuing opportunities for local businesses and workers in the build of the Macquarie Point Stadium – “We are delivering for Tasmania by turning a wasteland into a year-round events and function precinct that will provide benefits for all Tasmanians.”
Beach pointed out that the international firms brought “the balance sheet, the risk management and the experience that helps us”.
Beach said she was confident that Besix Watpac had the capacity to deliver on both the Brisbane and Hobart stadiums, particularly given that the other submission was a joint tender – “They’ve done that so far but we will be scrutinizing that very heavily in the next stage.”
Local Quotient
The master plan for the Macquarie Point Site was unveiled recently showing detail plans of commercial zones to the South of the stadium and a residential area to the North.
For the State’s peak construction body engaging the local businesses was a central concern.
Master Builders Tasmania Chief Executive Jenna Cairney said it was expected that the Tasmanian firms would not be the main contractor due to the scale of the Hobart waterfront stadium project.
However, she said the local workers should still be sought – “It needs to be genuine deep engagement looking at what and how the Tasmanian businesses can contribute to this project.”
The Macquarie Point stadium, which is a requirement of the deal for the Tasmania Devils Football Team, has received a $240 million contribution from the federal Government and a further $15 million from the AFL.
The Tasmania Devils are expected to compete in the AFL from the 2028 season.
It was given a go-ahead by the Parliament in December last year after the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) recommended it not be built.
Despite the TPC’s recommendation the Tasmanian Labor last September reaffirmed its support for the project.
The Labor Spokesperson for Stadiums and Sport, Luke Edmunds, said the progress on the project was welcome but expressed concern that the stadium might be overlooked by the major Australian firms vying to be a part of the Brisbane Olympic project.
The 2032 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXV Olympiad and also known as Brisbane 2032, is a planned international multisport event scheduled to take place from July 23rd-August 8th, 2032 in Brisbane, Australia, with venues across the various regions of Queensland.
Key Question:
- Will the local businesses be given enough room to play a key role in the Macquarie Point Stadium project?
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