Coalition Forestry spokesman Senator Richard Colbeck toured the world’s tallest wooden apartment tower in Melbourne, saying it should serve as an emblem for the future of the nation’s forest and timber industries. Source: Timberbiz
Lend Lease is constructing the $11 million Forte building in Docklands using cross laminate timber, 30% faster and cheaper than would be possible using conventional construction.
“In no small way, this building represents a possible future for the forest and timber industries in Australia,” Senator Colbeck said.
“This is a stunning example of why it is completely wrong to see timber as a sunset industry, despite the challenges it has ahead.
“I was particularly heartened by a quote used this morning from Alex de Rijke, a renown London architect, that if the 19th century was of steel and the 20th century of concrete, then the 21st century is about engineered timber.
“To see a project of this scale and cost in Australia really does excite me, but we still don’t have the manufacturing processes here to create these sorts of materials and, partly, because we haven’t created the demand.”
Senator Colbeck said Australia had the material, skills and expertise to realise the industry’s vast potential.
There were changes required in policy settings such as a greater commitment to research and development, and providing certainty around timber supply. He also said the timber and forest industries needed to find new ways to communicate the value of the industry – both in financial and environmental terms – to the broader public.
Australian hardwoods were well positioned to provide the next level of advancement in the technology around cross-laminated timber panels, Senator Colbeck said.
“We need to create an environment in which people have the confidence to invest in innovation,” he said.
“There is a bright future there to be realised, but the policy settings are not right.
“A Coalition Government will create the right environment for research and development, will foster innovation, cut red tape and guarantee supply.”
