Australia faces a housing squeeze, with modular and prefab construction holding the key to meeting future demand for social, affordable, and aged care accommodation. This new push has led experts to speculate that over the next decade, 80% of all building elements—walls, floors, ceilings, and even external cladding and ceilings—could come from prefabrication.
Now, governments are re-writing policies and procurement requirements; the NSW government is leading the way in using modular housing to “rapidly increase housing supply in a considerably faster timeframe than traditional construction.”
Tackling these topics and the compliance and regulation environment is the nexus of the next Wood You Like to Know event hosted by Weathertex, which will be hosted online on May 30, 2024.
Dubbed “Wood You Like to Know 2”, it follows last year’s event, held in September, which addressed changes to the construction code, the circular economy and designing in bushfire-prone areas.
According to Jason Ross, publisher of Wood Central, “Building modular is the only solution to solving the housing puzzle, and given the current shortage in trades, it is the only way that we are going to meet the Australian government’s ambitious targets for housing.
Mr Ross will host two-panel discussions—one on affordable housing and the other on compliance and regulatory updates.
“In the first session, we will talk to Emma Greenhalgh, the CEO of National Shelter, Alan Takle, the Executive Director of Nestd Developments Social Enterprise, and Dr Catherine Gilbert to discuss real-world examples of affordable housing initiatives.”Â
In the other session, “I’ll talk to Simon Croft, the HIA’s Chief Executive of Industry and Policy; Chris Knierim, the BDAA’s CEO; Grant Harrington, the Director of Australian Certifiers; and Dr Harley Dale, an independent economist, about the changes in the pipeline and those that need to come to drive the green shift to modular.”
“We’ve heard all the vows from state governments right across the country; now is the time for action,” Mr Ross said, adding that Andrew Savage, Weathertex’s Architecture and Design Manager in NSW, who will host panel discussions on Modular Building, Sustainable Construction and Retirement and Aged Care living.
According to Vanda Corrier, Weathertex’s National Marketing Manager, attendees will be eligible to receive up to 15 CPD formal points, which will be “crucial for professionals before the end of the financial year.”
“For $99.00, attendees will have the gold level access, with open access to both live and on-demand presentations,” allowing participants to earn up to 15 CPD points, both live and on-demand presentations, for up to a month after the event.
In addition, Ms Correia said the event has a new package, which for $79.000 provides silver-level access, “this will provide attendees access to all panel discussions live and on-demand, allowing participants to earn up to 5 CPD points for up to a month after the event.”
Like last year, all attendees who register have full access to the virtual expo hall, allowing them to engage with the exhibitors, with all those who engage with at least three exhibitors going into the draw to win $1,000,
“We are also proud to announce that Channel 9 personality James Treble will be joining us,” Ms Correia said, “he stole the show at our in-person event in Brisbane early last year.”
“James will be sharing insights from Milan Design Week,” with Jason O’Hagan, Weathertex’s Managing Director, interviewing the Planet Ark ambassador and host of James Bought a House.
Supported by the Australian Association of Certifiers, the BDAA, Design Matters, Global Green Tag, Wood Solutions and Prefab Aus, exhibitors including Ametalin, Intergrain, Archipro, ITI (Aus), ATI, Knauf and Weathertex. The event will be hosted by Jason O’Hagan and will include five-panel discussions:
- Discussion Topic #1: Affordable Housing Solutions
- Discussion Topic #2: Modular Construction and Prefabrication
- Discussion Topic #3: Sustainable Construction Practices
- Discussion Topic #4: Latest Compliance & Regulatory Updates
- Discussion Topic #5: Innovative Approaches to Aged Care & Retirement Living
