The ARC Future Timber Hub, at The University of Queensland, were proud to host the Timber Queensland Board for their 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The main focus of the Timber Queensland Board was responding to regional opportunities and technical innovations ahead for the State’s $3.2 billion forest and timber industry. A broad representation of Directors were elected.
A unanimous decision by members present, elected Mr Paul Bidwell Deputy Chief Executive, Master Builders Queensland as the Chair and Mr James Hyne, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Hyne Timber, as Deputy Chair.
Timber Queensland Chair Mr Paul Bidwell said the incoming Board visited the Future Timber Hub’s structural engineering and fire laboratories where experts from industry, government, and academia are collaborating to develop the skills, knowledge and resources to foster future growth of tall timber buildings.
“Many of these projects focus on developing engineered wood products (EWPs) in future building structures. Increased use of products such as glue laminated timber, laminated veneer lumber and cross laminated timber, offer new opportunities for the construction industry to reduce environmental impact and adopt timber solutions in the building market,” said Mr Bidwell.
“We were able to see first-hand the applied research and integrated approaches to tall timber design and engineering, with many exciting applications for future housing and commercial projects.”
Mr Bidwell said a key strength of the incoming Board was its diversity of Directors who represent the full industry supply chain from growers and processors through to traders and fabricators.
“Timber Queensland provides a united, powerful voice, and this board has insight into the policy and regulatory environment, as well as the environmental, technical and market development aspects of meeting the growing demand for timber products,” he said.
The Directors elected at the 2019 AGM included:
- Paul Bidwell, Master Builders Queensland
- James Hyne, Hyne Timber
- Robert Tapiolas, Parkside Group
- Craig Neale, AKD Softwoods
- Curly Tatnell, DTM Timber
- Islay Robertson, HQPlantations
- Bob Engwirda, Hurfords Wholesale
- Adan Taylor, GMT Logging
- David Simms, Simms Group
- Bob Ryder, DTM Frame and Truss
Timber Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Mick Stephens said the Board had identified some key priorities going forward in 2020, including resource security and expansion, waste management and improving regional timber supply chains.
“The demand for softwood and hardwood products remains strong and we have significant opportunities in Queensland to build on existing regional timber regions, with high quality forest resources and associated processing and value-added operations that support many local jobs,” he said.
For further information contact:
Timber Queensland
Clarissa Brandt, Strategic Relations & Communications Manager, 07 3358 7906
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