On Thursday 30 July, the Tasmanian Forestry Hub, the Launceston Institute and the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood hosted a networking event with over 40 representatives from the forestry, timber products, design and construction sectors.
The event marked the launch of a new series of short videos that translate recent research into practical insights on the use of Tasmanian timber in commercial buildings.
Hosted at Inveresk, it took place after a face-to-face workshop with Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI). They brought together researchers with industry expertise from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania to co-design new projects.
The networking event was then introduced by Naomi Walsh, Industry Engagement Lead for the Launceston Institute, to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with utilising sustainable Tasmanian timber in large-scale projects.
Key speaker Associate Professor Louise Wallis, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood noted the importance of working together to increase capacity in Tasmania.
“The thing about timber is that it helps us connect to our place, to the people who touch it and have worked on it. Timber creates an opportunity to create that sense of place and an enormous showcase of Tasmanian products.
“We’ve got a road to travel managing our new timber products that use plantation eucalyptus nitens; we need to work through risk, learn together and increase capacity for timber engineering right here. We’ve been working on this, with and alongside industry, for the last 20 years and you’ll see it happen” Associate Professor Wallis said.
Many great examples are shown on the short videos from the University of Tasmania and St Lukes buildings. Martin Rees, Board Director of Strategy at St Lukes Health Insurance launched the short videos. He also explained the benefits of timber usage in the recent major build of St Luke’s in Launceston. “Companies love to lease our spaces, the natural timber provides incredible sound qualities and healthiness for people working there, not to mention the carbon offset benefits” Martin said.
As General Manager of the Tasmania Forestry Hub, Jamie Lawrence was proud of the work being done to progress the use of timber in Tasmania. “These videos don’t just highlight timber, they highlight courage. The issues and challenges that have been faced have been well worth it.”
Get in touch with the team at the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood and chat about their work with 26 industry partners and associations and 8 universities on national and regional projects.
Find out more about the Launceston Institute, which has been designed to connect university researchers with industry and community to help drive innovation, growth, and productivity in northern Tasmania.
