WoodSolutions presents Queensland Timber Trajectory: Award Winning Exemplars Showcasing the Way to Modern Construction

Time & Location

30 June 2026 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm
GHD Auditorium, University of Queensland, St Lucia

About the event

De-risking and delivering mass timber across government and major projects

Queensland is entering a major phase of infrastructure delivery, with investment flowing into Brisbane 2032 venues and a broader pipeline of government-led civic, transport, and social infrastructure projects.

Mass timber is now well understood across design and construction — but many projects still face the same challenge: client confidence and delivery certainty.

This forum moves beyond general education to focus on what actually determines whether a timber project proceeds.

Through a series of real project case studies presented by delivery teams, the event will explore:

• Why timber was pursued
• What nearly stopped it
• How cost, risk, and procurement challenges were resolved
• What clients ultimately needed to proceed

Event Agenda

12:00 – 1:30pm

Registration and light lunch

• Supplier showcase
• Fire & Structures Lab and UQ Soundshell Tours

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1:30 – 1:40pm

Welcome and opening

Dr Keith Crews, ARC Advance Timber Hub
Mick Stephens, CEO, Timber Queensland

Design, Integration & Delivery of Timber Projects

Commercial

1:40 – 2:10pm

Sydney Fish Market

Topics include:

• Early DfMA thinking protecting cost and program
• Addressing early doubts and objections
• Contract delivery models integrating design, supply and construction
• What government and clients needed to proceed

Speakers:

Adam Shears, Theca Timber
Gianluigi Traetta, Rubner
Asher Galvin, BVN

Government Infrastructure & Social Housing

2:10 – 2:40pm

Maryborough Fire Station / Inala Infill Apartments

Topics include:

• Hybrid vs all-timber structures
• Fire, robustness and risk perception
• Embodied carbon and procurement outcomes
• Learnings for future government infrastructure projects

Speakers:

Kim Baber, Baber Studio
Oliver Macklin, HUTCHIES
Usman Mian, Kane Constructions

Education

2:40 – 3:10pm

University of Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay Campus Expansion

Topics include:

• Hybrid supply as a risk-management strategy
• Integrating global suppliers into local delivery models
• What Brisbane 2032 can realistically source locally

Speakers:

Callum Lillywhite, Aurecon
Tyson Infinati, Hess Timber
Speaker TBA, Kirk

3:10 – 3:30pm

Afternoon tea

• Supplier showcase

Sports

3:30 – 4:00pm

Paris 2024 Aquatics Centre

Topics include:

• Engineering the 80–90m timber roof
• Moisture, fire and compliance solutions
• Lessons for aquatic venues in Queensland

Speakers:

Laure Mériaud, Ateliers 2/3/4/
Cécilia Gross, VenhoevenCS

4:00 – 4:10pm

Proving Performance: Project Certification

Topics include:

• Confidence in timber sourcing across complex projects
• Independent verification and traceability
• Practical delivery across multi-contractor teams
• Supporting ESG reporting and procurement confidence

Speaker:

Simon Dorries, Responsible Wood

Panel Discussion

4:10 – 4:40pm

What actually makes timber viable at scale?

Topics include:

• Industry capacity — real vs perceived
• Cost premiums and where they disappear
• Procurement models that support timber
• Early supplier involvement
• Structural and non-structural timber opportunities
• What clients should ask for in project briefs

Facilitator:

Toby Hodson, Arup

Panellists:

Neil Logan, BVN
Adam Shears, Theca Timber
Tim McDonald, Xlam
Callum Lillywhite, Aurecon
Oliver Macklin, HUTCHIES

4:40pm

Summary and close

Dr Keith Crews, ARC Advance Timber Hub
Mick Stephens, CEO, Timber Queensland