Up to 80% of all building elements used in Australia’s construction supply chain could soon be prefabricated; however, despite major strides in volumetric construction, Australia should not —and cannot —forget about the “affordable, dependable and reliable” frame and truss supply chain.
That is according to Dr Alastair Woodard, who last year spoke to the Wood Central Publisher about the importance of using “elemental prefabrication” to further activate the country’s 280-strong frame and truss industry. “Elemental prefabrication means fabricators work with builders off-site to add value and improve productivity,” he said. “It means we can build more homes quicker.”
It follows the rise of prefabrication and modular housing, which have garnered national headlines, as a growing number of innovative builders look to use timber-steel wall and floor systems to build detached and semi-detached housing at scale.
“However, simple factory add-ons—for example, pre-fitted vapour barriers, ready-to-install double- or triple-glazed windows, panelised cladding and insulation—can save time, cut risk and ensure quality,” Dr Woodward said. “For high-volume townhouse projects, floor-cassette systems offer rapid installation and a safer worksite—a no-brainer for any builder racing against time and budget.”
Timber Construct 2025 is aiming to “Reclaim the Frame”
Speaking to Wood Central today, Timber Construct organiser Andrew Dunn says this year’s conference is all about “Reclaiming the Frame.” “We’re calling on the industry to rediscover timber’s unique performance, cost and sustainability advantages,” he said, adding that Morgan Sandler will lead a deep dive into timber’s competitive positioning across residential and commercial projects.
Key case studies include:
- The Timber Counteroffensive: Recapturing Market Share – Bruce Wallis, The Truss Joint
- Transforming Residential Construction with Timber Beams – Robert Nestic, TGA Engineering
- Innovative Bracing Solutions in Houses – George Dolezal, Meyer Timber
TimberConstruct—Australia’s premier timber construction conference—takes place October 13–14, 2025, at Rydges Melbourne. “Early-bird tickets close September 26,” Dunn said. “TimberConstruct is more than a conference—it’s our moment to reclaim the frame and reimagine the future of housing in Australia.”
