New images released with Hobart stadium's Macquarie Point precinct master plan

Two major construction companies will bid for the right to build the $1.13 billion Macquarie Point Stadium, as part of the upcoming formal tender process.

An assessment of major firms which expressed interest in competing for the build is almost complete and follows an expression of interest process that wrapped up in March.

Macquarie Point Development Corporation chief executive officer Anne Beach wouldn't reveal exactly how many firms had expressed interest in winning the contract, but confirmed that "more than two" had participated, with two firms to progress to the next stage.

The ABC understands BESIX Watpac, which constructed the recently completed One New Zealand stadium in Christchurch, has expressed interest in the job and is among the contenders to progress to the next stage.

The successful contractor will be unveiled later in the year, with the official contract to commence in November.

There had been speculation that only one bidder had emerged as part of the process, but Ms Beach said that wasn't true.

"There will be two parties which we will be announcing shortly," Ms Beach said.

The $1.13 billion cost estimate for the build remains, despite market uncertainty and rising construction and fuel costs, partially caused by the war in Iran.

At a public accounts committee hearing in February, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation declared its estimate was at "P90" stage and included an escalation buffer of $147.6 million.

A "P90" estimate is a construction estimate by an independent quantity surveyor that concludes the cost only has a 10 per cent chance of exceeding the estimate.

But that number may still change as a result of the tender process, where prospective contractors will make their pitch as to how they plan to build the roofed venue, and what it may cost.

As part of the tender process, the two competing firms will work through detailed design plans and stadium delivery schedules, as they attempt to win the contract for the build.

"They'll sit down with our design team and do a detailed analysis … put together a program and an estimated price," Ms Beach said.

"In the second stage, we start locking down the contractor to firm up the price, but we will get an indication in that first stage."

'Risk allocation' in place for possible cost rise from Iran war

Last month, the boss of the National Civil Contractors Federation, Nicholas Proud, told the ABC that the increase in price for diesel due to the conflict in the Middle East could add about $50 million to the cost of building the stadium.

Ms Beach said the proximity of the stadium site to a working port would help ease costs, and that the successful tenderer would play a part in determining a cost-effective plan to deliver the build.

She said that "additional fuel costs" are being considered as part of upcoming site preparation works, but that they are part of negotiations with contractors.

"We know in major projects this happens a lot. We know during the Bridgewater Bridge, they had the challenge of dealing with COVID, so we do allow some risk allocation for these types of escalations," she said.

Master plan revealed

Today, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation unveiled its master plan for the precinct surrounding the stadium.

It includes new renders of the broader precinct, including artist impressions of commercial space and a residential zone at the north of the site.

"What the master plan does is provide meat to the bones, it provides site context, how people will move through the site, access arrangements, building envelopes, height limits that will inform the actual design," Ms Beach said.

The master plan outlines two options for a major precinct car park at the site — one with 532 spaces, which plunges two levels below ground, and one with 339 spaces that sit above ground

It doesn't provide detail around energy requirements for the stadium, including a potential 1,650 square metre substation at the site.

It reveals two options for residential buildings on the northern edge of the site, one that would have 93 dwellings and house 186 people, and one with 99 dwellings housing 198 people — both would be six floors, including a basement, and have 59 car spaces.

Ms Beach said there had also been early interest via market sounding for commercial tenancies, including a hotel at the site.

"That Evans Street frontage is where there's been a lot of interest in a hotel development, that would have really good synergies, and the stadium-activated space and the regular events that will happen there," she said.

The development of the master plan was a condition of the federal government's funding commitment of $240 million towards the project. 

The master plan is also required by Hobart City Council to inform planning scheme changes and amendments.

Construction of the precinct is planned to occur in three main stages, with the stadium, northern access road, Macquarie wharf upgrade and underground car park to commence first before the residential and commercial zones.

The stadium is expected to be completed by mid to late 2030, but will not be ready to host AFL fixtures until the start of the 2031 season.