- TIMBERBIZ.COM.AU - A La Une - 03/Sep 00:58

Paddock to Pre-Fab brings business together at Queensland conference

The peak body for Queensland’s forest and timber industry is bringing together landholders, timber producers, builders and innovators this week for the Doing Timber Business in Queensland: From Paddock to Pre-Fab conference. Source: Timberbiz Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens said the two-day forum, supported by Gold Sponsor Australian Retirement Trust, will explore how timber, carbon and cattle can work better together to boost resilience, productivity and profitability on Queensland farms, while delivering wood supply for future housing needs. “This is about connecting the full timber value chain – from the paddock through to prefabricated innovation,” Mr Stephens said. Attendees on Tuesday heard from industry leaders and experts including Chris Parker, Cattle Australia, presenting on deforestation rules from a beef industry perspective, Greg Leach, AgForce Queensland, discussing natural capital reporting tools for grazing and forestry and Dr Tyron Venn, University of Queensland examining the financial performance of farm forestry in detail. Mr Stephens spoke on the new Queensland Future Timber Plan, and the policy and farm extension opportunities to expand the native forest and plantation-based sectors to meet growing demand for timber construction materials. The day concluded with the Carving Out Connections: Steaks and Stumps industry dinner, sponsored by Rivers Insurance, which featured a presentation from Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett. Today’s sessions, themed Building Our Future in Timber, shifts the focus to construction and timber’s role in solving Australia’s housing and building challenges. Held at Aurecon’s 25 King St office – Australia’s tallest timber office building – the program includes sessions on mid-rise timber codes, mass timber social housing and modern construction methods. “Timber is not just a renewable resource – it’s a smart solution for housing supply, sustainability and regional jobs,” Mr Stephens said. “Presentations and site tours of hybrid prefabrication systems at SigmaBuild and a complex truss and frame system under construction at the Wat Thai Buddharam Temple will showcase how Queensland grown timber and prefabricated systems can deliver better outcomes for builders, occupants and the environment.” “These opportunities will be fully explored as part of our proactive agenda with government and industry partners,” Mr Stephens said