Costings for proposed AFL stadium revealed as government looks for lead consultant

Detailed costings for the proposed Macquarie Point stadium have been revealed for the first time. See the breakdown of the costs.

A concept image of Hobart's proposed stadium at Macquarie Point — the design is yet to be finalised.(Supplied: AFL) Tasmania AFL Tasmania Devils AFL stadium

Detailed costings for the proposed Macquarie Point stadium have been revealed.

The state government has issued a tender for the lead design consultant for the stadium — which is proposed as the new home for the state’s AFL team.

“The Australian Tier 2 Standard multipurpose stadium will have a 23,000 seated capacity, be roofed, be the home ground for a Tasmanian AFL Team, and be Tasmania’s premier multipurpose sporting, arts, events and entertainment stadium,” tender documents say.

“A budget of $715 million has been allocated for the Project, with a targeted practical completion date of 30 December 2028.”

Hobart Stadium interior view with crowd. Proposed Macquarie Point stadium by SolutionsWon Group. Picture: SolutionsWon Group

Tender documents reveal that the construction budget for the stadium is $453m.

The tender allows for $63m worth of site works, $68m for design, and $87m for project management, consultancies and fees, for a total of $672m.

An allowance of $42m for escalation brings the total to $715m.

It calls for the creation of “a welcoming, coherent, Tasmanian stadium that celebrates the history and character of the site and feels Tasmanian”.

A project timeline specifies that a consultant will be appointed in March, concept designs submitted in April and work will commence in December 2025.

The tender documents specify the design should take into account the proximity of the Cenotaph.

“The northern aspect of the stadium will face towards the Hobart Cenotaph which is a sensitive area of remembrance and significance where any visual impacts should be sensitive, softened, sympathetic and minimised,” it says.

Shadow Treasurer Shane Broad said he did not have faith the government could deliver the project on time and on budget.

“The $50m tender advertised to design Jeremy Rockliff’s stadium at Macquarie Point raises even more questions about the Premier’s ability to deliver the project on time and budget,” he said.

Labor MP Shane Broad.

“Jeremy Rockliff is surely now the only person who believes he can build a 23,000-seat roofed stadium within its $715 million budget and the strict timelines he signed up to with the AFL.

“With $50 million now set aside for design alone, that leaves him $665 million to play with until the Tasmanian taxpayer – who is already footing a huge bill for this project – is also on the hook for any cost overruns.

“Given the deal Jeremy Rockliff signed for Tasmania stipulates a $4.5m dollar penalty if the stadium isn’t 50 per cent completed by October 2027, and a further $4.5m if it doesn’t host games in 2028, it is noteworthy that the estimated period of the advertised contract runs until the end of 2029.

The tender for the lead design consultancy closes on February 28.

Originally published as Costings for proposed AFL stadium revealed as government looks for lead consultant