Following an investigation into potential criminal activity at Western Sydney Airport Metro, a civil contractor engaged by Webuild has been ousted and referred to the authorities.
Webuild, part of the Parklife Metro consortium, along with Plenary, Siemens, and RATP Dev., was awarded the largest-ever NSW Public Private Partnership contract for Stations, Systems, Trains, Operations and Maintenance in December 2022.
However, after media reports of potential criminal activity and workplace breaches at Western Sydney Airport Metro, Sydney Metro commissioned the investigation in September 2025.
As a result, “several significant findings” were found against Future Form Civil which was engaged by Webuild from July 2024 under four subcontractors for formwork, reinforcing, concrete pouring services, and provision of construction workers.
John Graham, the NSW Minister for Transport, said Future Form then sourced labour from downstream contractors without obtaining approval for or disclosing it had done so, as required.
“Due to its complex contractual chain, the investigator believes Future Form was unable to track who was on site, the work they were performing, and how much they were being paid,” he stated. “This includes an inability to verify basic details on invoices worth more than $10 million.”
Some workers were also found to be on social benefits and working for cash and a number of labour supply companies were incorporated within days of each other at the same residential address.
Results of the investigation into Future Form have been referred to the NSW Police, NSW Crime Commission, Independent Commission Against Corruption, National Anti-Corruption Commission, Fair Work Ombudsman, Australian Taxation Office, and Revenue NSW.
In addition, a Ministerial Direction has been issued to Sydney Metro’s independent board requiring all future subcontracting is to be carried out “under strict compliance” prior to any settlement of claims on the project.
About the author
Desi Corbett
Desi is the Editor of Concrete in Australia, at the helm since December 2013, and our weekly news writer since 2016. Focused on concrete and construction for more than 11 years, her expertise in this field forms part of a journalism career spanning three decades. To get in touch please email desi@corbettcomms.com