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The Brisbane Olympics Should Have Australian-Made Timber Courts

A new project is looking to expand the market for Australian hardwoods - by targeting sports flooring including basketball courts, gymnasiums, squash courts and arenas.


Wed 30 Oct 24

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Days after the Queensland government vowed to fully review all venues chosen for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, timber researchers are now testing which native timber species are best suited for flooring inside future sporting venues.

Funded by Australian Forest and Wood Innovation—a new programme established by the Australian Government to drive research and innovation across the forest and wood products industry—the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is working with the Australasian Timber Flooring Association and project partners to evaluate Australian timber species to determine which are fit-for-purpose.

“This will lead to the development of an industry guideline summarising the findings of the project, allowing Australian species to be specified in sports floor designs,” according to Hassan Karampour from Griffith University, who will be working with Adam Faircloth and Candan Kumar, of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Maryam Shirmodhammadi and Benoit Gilbert from QUT and Griffth on the project.

In August, Wood Central revealed that engineered timber flooring – and mass timber construction systems more generally – are a game-changer for high-performance sports facilities. Hardwood timbers, including American maple and oak, have historically been chosen for basketball courts (for example) for their durability, resilience, and ability to provide optimal playing service.

“Sports flooring presents an opportunity currently underrepresented by the Australian timber industry, with most developments preferring importing materials. This is often due to international guidelines referencing specific timber species and how their characteristics meet those of demanding sports activities.”

According to the researchers, “Australian design standards and guidelines often fall short of separating floor performance into activity groupings, leading to the undefined performance of Australian timber species in these specific uses.” With the “information generated in this project highlighting opportunities for Australian timber producers to capitalise on a new product opportunity.”

About Australian Forest and Wood Innovations

In March, Wood Central reported that the University of Tasmania joined the University of Sunshine Coast and the University of Melbourne to form part of the $100m Commonwealth-funded program. According to former Australian Agriculture and Forestry Minister Murray Watt, the research from the centres “will help to support our Australian forest and wood product industries, as well as our journey to generate greater value from our sustainable forestry industries.”

“The three research centres will help us to enhance our wood products and systems, manage and sustainably expand our Australian forestry resources, transform wood residues into renewable products and energy solutions – all while helping to address the threat of climate change,” former Minister Watt said. “Innovation is key to progress and efficiency, and this funding will allow these centres to look at new ways to ensure our forestry industries keep sustainability at their core.” 

Author

  • Jason Ross

    Jason Ross, publisher, is a 15-year professional in building and construction, connecting with more than 400 specifiers. A Gottstein Fellowship recipient, he is passionate about growing the market for wood-based information. Jason is Wood Central's in-house emcee and is available for corporate host and MC services.

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