Analysis of research papers from both the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life and the recent IRG conference in Cairns will be at the core of a landmark workshop on wood preservation in Brisbane next month.
The full-day workshop at the Ecoscience Precinct building at Dutton Park on August 30 is an initiative of the Timber Preservers Association of Australia.
“The concept is to take these papers and other topics to a broader range of industry stakeholders involved in the preservation of timber products,” TPAA president Gerry Gardiner said.
“We have tried to be consistent and comprehensive in our preparation of an invitees listing,” Gardiner said.
“The concept of the workshop is to have attendees listen and share their thoughts and ideas around various topics.
“At the conclusion of the day, we would hope to have some beneficial outcomes and a mission direction going forward.”
For each topic, the workshop will start with a short presentation with individual groups working through the issues and presenting their ideas to the facilitator on the day.
Key topics include:
- Treatment quality.
- Waste management and the circular economy.
- Standards.
- Risks.
- Testing.
Each of the topics has sub-headings to guide working groups through their discussions.
The TPAA has extended invitations to the TPAA board, Forest and Wood Products Australia, Responsible Wood, Timber Queensland, three of the largest softwood producers, two of the largest hardwood producers, key chemical suppliers and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
TPAA has been fortunate to have the support of the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life located at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The centre is entering the next and exciting stage of its evolution with the appointment in mid-August of its new director Professor Tripti Singh, currently a senior scientist at New Zealand’s Scion and among the leading names in wood protection research.
The Department of Environment and Science’s $270 million Ecoscience Precinct uses award-winning architecture and sustainable design principles to create a collaborative environment for more than 1000 scientists dedicated to solving some of Australia’s most significant environmental challenges.
The precinct houses research staff from the Queensland government, CSIRO, the University of Queensland, and other partner universities.
The precinct physically brings together four state science agencies and six divisions of the CSIRO, which have all been operating in geographical isolation from each other.
TPAA is the peak body for the timber preservation sector in Australia. Members include businesses both in Australia and overseas, chemical suppliers and related industries.
The association administers the Australian standards and has a plant registration database.
Workshop inquiries should be directed to the TPAA Secretary Jack Norton.
