From the Director’s Desk
The past few months have been both productive and rewarding for the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, as we continue to strengthen our role as a trusted partner for Australia’s timber and wood products sector.
A highlight was our Durability Centre Showcase, held on 22 July 2025. The event brought together industry partners and researchers to share our latest work in timber durability, design life prediction, and circularity. A total of 16 presentations covered topics ranging from advances in preservative technologies to strategies for maximising timber’s performance in Australia’s diverse climates. Lively discussions encouraged frank conversations about the challenges and opportunities ahead, while the laboratory tours gave attendees a close-up look at our facilities, testing capabilities, and ongoing research projects. The overwhelmingly positive feedback confirmed the value of creating a space where science, innovation, and industry needs can meet.
Last week, we successfully hosted a Data Analytics and Statistical Process Control Training in Mt Gambier (20–22 August 2025) with Professor Jeffrey Morrell (University of South Australia) and delivered by Professor Tim Young (University of Tennessee, USA), a global leader in statistical quality systems.
Over 20 industry professionals from across Australia from the Forestry and Wood Products sector attended the course, highlighting the value of academia–industry–international collaboration in building practical skills to boost our sector’s competitiveness.
Among the significant national initiatives we’re driving, the Timber Circularity Project is a three-
year, industry-backed effort to keep valuable wood fibre in use and out of landfill. Now in its final year, we’re making strong headway on multiple fronts. We have launched the world-first Timber Circularity Resource Map, connecting unused timber resources with those who can put them to good use. Just as importantly, we’re putting ideas into action. Our pilot project with Fabal Vineyards in South Australia will see a mobile processing unit recondition vineyard posts for resale—testing the full chain from logistics to market uptake.
Beyond these milestones, we have advanced several key projects including research on understanding the treatability of softwood resources in Australia, the durability of Tasmanian species, and combating fire risks.
June was a busy month for staff and students, with participation in international conferences including the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE) in Brisbane, the International Research Group on Wood Protection (IRG/WP) in Japan and the International Conference on Timber Bridges (ICTB) in New Zealand. Hosting WCTE in Brisbane gave seven of our students the valuable opportunity to volunteer and engage with international colleagues. Sincere thanks to Professor Keith Crews and Ms Kelly Rischmiller for their support. Centre staff chaired sessions and, together with our students, delivered a total of 15 presentations at WCTE.
On a personal note, I was deeply honoured to receive the Enduring Impact Award at the 5th International Timber Bridge Conference. The award is a testament to the collective achievements of our dedicated team, collaborators, and industry partners whose efforts ensure our research has meaningful outcomes for the timber sector.