'The diggers have arrived': Works begin on Hobart's $1.13b stadium

The Tasmanian government says plans for a new Hobart stadium have reached a significant milestone with the start of preparatory earthworks at Macquarie Point.The stadium is a key requirement for the entry of the Tasmania Devils into the AFL competition.Jeremy Rockliff had a go on the tools at the commencement of works at the site. (ABC News: Mitchell Woolnough)The project, which was approved by parliament last year, has polarised the community because of its $1.13 billion price tag and its location in the heart of Hobart's historic CBD.While construction of the facility is still a year away, trucks have now started shifting huge amounts of soil from the site to local waste facilities.An image posted to Jeremy Rockliff's social media welcoming the start of earthworks. (Facebook: Jeremy Rockliff)"There's about 100,000 cubic metres to be moved off this site," Hazell Bros managing director Geoffrey Hazell said."So, there should be a truck leaving here every eight minutes."An render of what the stadium is expected to look like when finished. (Supplied: Cox Architecture)Premier Jeremy Rockliff described the occasion as a "new era of economic opportunity for Tasmania"."Clearly the diggers have arrived, the builders are here and [it's] time to get on with the job," Mr Rockliff said."And it's so important for not only … bringing to life a four-decade-old dream when it comes to our own Tasmanian team … but also the significant opportunity economically [for] our visitor economy and all associated with such a significant event here today."An artist's impression of the indoor playing area at the Macquarie Point stadium, during a football match. (Supplied: MPDC)The Tasmania Devils club, which recently selected Ken Hinkley as its inaugural coach, will enter the AFL in 2028.The stadium is not expected to be completed until late 2030, meaning the Devils will initially play Hobart-based games at Bellerive Oval.Two firms are currently vying for the right to build the stadium — Besix Watpac and Constructure Joint Venture, a collaboration between WeBuild and China Construction Oceania.Both firms are expected to submit their bids to the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) next month."They'll tell us their team, their capacity, their experience, their methodology, and they'll give us a target price for delivering this exciting project," MPDC chief executive Anne Beach said.A preferred contractor is then likely to be chosen in October."We'll go through a pretty hefty assessment process and then we'll move into what we refer to as stage two, and that is when the price is locked down and a lot more local engagement is just cemented," Ms Beach said.The final contract is expected to be signed at the end of the year.An artist's impression of the Macquarie Point stadium entry gate 1 and retail precinct. (Supplied: Mac Point Site Master Plan Report)WeBuild charges 'not a reason for us to not proceed'WeBuild has come under scrutiny in recent months following revelations it is facing charges interstate relating to alleged workplace safety breaches.SafeWork NSW has launched two separate criminal proceedings against the Italian infrastructure firm in the NSW Industrial Court alleging it put several workers at risk of death or serious injury.WeBuild has pleaded not guilty to the charges.Treasurer Eric Abetz (left) was at the site for the occasion. (ABC News: Mitchell Woolnough)An artist's impression of Macquarie Point stadium entry gate 4 in Hobart. (Supplied: Mac Point Site Master Plan Report)The Tasmanian Greens and independent MP Kristie Johnston have previously said WeBuild should have disclosed the charges during the expression of interest process, and that it should not have been selected as a tenderer.Ms Beach today said WeBuild had declared all it was required to and that there was no reason to remove it from the process."The things that have been raised are allegations … are untested before the court," she said."They are not a reason for us to not proceed with a qualified party for a project in a different jurisdiction for a different project and they're untested in the court."So we're comfortable that we've gone through a thorough assessment process."