Up to $2 million could be paid to the losing Hobart stadium bidder, eight times the original $250,000 cap set out in initial tender documents, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation has confirmed.
“The cap of up to $2 million of tender reimbursement was outlined in the Stage 1 request for tender agreements considered and agreed by both selected tenderers before Stage 1 commenced in April,” the corporation said in a statement.
It said market testing had found the original $250,000 cap was “low compared to the length and complexity of the procurement and submission preparation process”.
The corporation said any costs claimed would “need to be demonstrated and evidenced”.
BESIX Watpac was named the preferred tenderer on October 15, ahead of a joint venture between Webuild and China Construction Oceania.
During question time in parliament on Tuesday, independent MP Kristie Johnston said the original tender documents capped the payment at $250,000 plus GST.