Meriton Apartment Block Development Halted Due to Environmental Concerns

Strategic Insights -

Australian building giant Meriton's large apartment block development in western Sydney has been halted due to environmental concerns surrounding contaminated soils. The Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) claims that up to 100 construction workers have been stood down from the site at Rhodes, in Sydney's west, after NSW Health and Canada Bay Council refused to allow prospective residents to occupy a newly constructed unit block. Despite Meriton's efforts to reassure the public that the site is safe, concerns over contaminated soils and dust containing carcinogens have led to the indefinite shutdown of work on the site.

Key Takeaways:

  • Meriton's apartment block development in western Sydney has been halted due to environmental concerns over contaminated soils.
  • The Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) claims that up to 100 construction workers have been stood down from the site at Rhodes, in Sydney's west.
  • NSW Health and Canada Bay Council have refused to allow prospective residents to occupy a newly constructed unit block due to concerns over contaminated soils.
  • Meriton's chief executive, Harry Triguboff, has stated that the company will not continue to expend millions of dollars on a project that is being held back by "faceless bureaucrats."
  • Canada Bay Council says Meriton's development application requires it to perform all building and soil remediation at the site before any residents take up occupancy.
  • Meriton has completed at least one unit block and settled on more than 100 sales contracts, but buyers have not been allowed to take up residence.
  • The CFMEU and Meriton will work together to try and move workers to other, active building sites.

Statistics:

  • 700 apartments are planned for the site at Rhodes, in Sydney's west.
  • Approximately 300 of the 700 apartments have already been constructed.
  • Up to 100 construction workers have been stood down from the site due to environmental concerns.
  • Meriton claims that it has saved millions of dollars by not proceeding with the project.

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse, "Meriton says state government is to blame for Sydney apartment block halt"
  • AAP, "Meriton stops work on western Sydney development over environmental concerns"
  • Thiess Services document, "Remediation of contaminated soils at the former Lednez/Union Carbide plant site"