Crows Nest Metro builder AW Edwards agrees to pay $40k to community for compliance breaches

A major builder has agreed to fund projects to “benefit the community” after working outside approved hours, despite having already been told off for pouring concrete until 2am.

The lead contractor on a multimillion-dollar Sydney Metro station has agreed to pay $40,000 to compensate for carrying out construction works outside approved hours, despite having already been warned about pouring concrete until 2am.

AW Edwards Pty Ltd has signed an enforceable undertaking with the NSW Department of Planning to ameliorate the impacts of non-compliant building activity at the newly opened Metro Station in Crows Nest.

According to the department, construction activity at the site breached the conditions of the project’s approval.

It said non-compliant works had been carried out after 6pm on two occasions – in September 2022 and July 2023 – as well as from 6.30am on a Sunday in October 2023.

This occurred despite AW Edwards having previously been officially warned, in 2022, after pouring concrete for four hours beyond a 10pm limit in place at the time.

Construction works at the Crows Nest Metro.

AW Edwards previously said a concrete pour that began at 7am on the day in question could not be completed until 2am because of “quality issues”.

The department said, in relation to the most recent breaches, that environmental compliance had also not audited on a quarterly basis from 2022 to 2024, despite it being a condition of the project’s approval.

The construction site is near homes in Crows Nest.

Additionally, works at the site blocked access to neighbouring parking twice, with residents not informed beforehand.

As part of the enforceable undertaking, AW Edwards has agreed to pay $40,000 in grants for projects to “benefit of the Crows Nest community”, such as “community amenity” initiatives or “sustainability” initiatives.

Iin a statement, the department said it took compliance matters seriously and had “a rigorous system in place to make sure major development projects follow strict conditions of consent”.

“Local residents and members of the community are encouraged to lodge any complaints about non-compliance issues, which include work occurring after approved hours or access to neighbouring parking being blocked,” a spokeswoman said.

The new Metro opened to passengers in August.

Residents living near the Metro station have previously complained about works at the site

Resident Grahame Yard said he moved out due to disturbances including noise as late as 12am.

“The hours of construction have been quite exceptional on this particular project, and it has had an effect on the residential amenity of the area,” he said.

AW Edwards was contacted for comment but did not respond at the time of publication.