Explore how locally grown hempwood can strengthen Australia’s housing supply, create regional jobs, and protect native forests, and how WWF-Australia is working to secure greater federal and state government support.
On 29 November, iHemp NSW hosted an insightful webinar with Winton from Eco Profit, led by our chair Collin Steady. The session explored one of the most important emerging themes in the hemp industry: carbon traceability from paddock to end product.
By Colin Steddy, Hemp Inside This year, I had the great privilege of joining Happy Soils (Andrew Meseha), Hexcore, and Why Not Consulting at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, thanks to an invitation from Duncan Kendall and the team at the Woolworths Discovery Centre. We bumped in on April 9, ready for gates to open on the 10th, and the energy was electric from day one — in fact, it was the biggest opening-day crowd in the show’s history. The Discovery Dome display stood out for all the right reasons. The entire fit-out — walls, tables, chairs, and cabinets — was crafted from ply board and furniture made by Hexcore using hemp materials. Hemp Gallery supplied beautiful hemp-made items, and I brought along hempcrete bricks, weed matting, samples of hurd and fibre, and hemp seed oil for sale. It was an honour to represent Hemp Inside and the broader Australian hemp industry. Public interest in hemp was strong and genuine. People came eager to share what they knew and to learn more — from curious newcomers to returning visitors tracking industry progress. Many asked, “Can I grow hemp on my land?” My answer was consistent: “We need to develop more markets and attract more investment to grow demand. Once that happens, we’ll be looking for more growers.” Andrew, Anastasia, their baby, and I were there every day — and yes, standing and talking non-stop for nearly two weeks was exhausting! But the support we received made it worthwhile. Visitors were enthusiastic, firemen stopped to see our display (including a video of the Hexcore house being tested in fire conditions), and Happy Soils customers shared encouraging results and plans to expand their use of the products. Media coverage? Disappointingly, not a single photo. But meaningful conversations made up for it — including promising follow-ups and exciting developments in the pipeline for Hexcore. I also had a valuable hour-long call with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, where I shared views on key obstacles holding back the industry: We must collaborate to build a strong, sustainable industry. The shift from the Office of Drug Control to the Department of Agriculture would unlock growth. It would create the policy certainty needed to attract serious investment. Right now, the perception that regulations could change overnight by the narcotics division scares off potential backers. Encouragingly, DPI is calling for industry submissions to help shape a stronger future. I urge everyone to contribute. One of the best compliments came from other exhibitors, who said the energy from our display was inspiring. Andrew’s love of music and fun made for a lively space — we even had a few dance moments with the crowd. The positivity was contagious. We bumped out on April 23 — a long stint on our feet, but a truly worthwhile experience. Big thanks to the Royal Agricultural Society, Duncan Kendall and his team, and our amazing crew: Andrew, Anastasia, Why Not Consulting, and Happy Soils. Let’s keep pushing forward. Cheers,Colin SteddyHemp Inside Hemp at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show Gallery
By iHempNSW member Amanda Marsh from Otetto On September 26th, we were invited to participate in a symposium titled “Little Experiments, Big Crises” hosted by Sydney University in collaboration with the Alistair Swayne Foundation. The symposium brought together architects, builders, manufacturers, and collaborators involved in the field of prefabrication. Otetto was invited to discuss the use of hemp and sustainability, during which we delivered a presentation followed by an open panel discussion with leading sustainability architect Alexander Symes, moderated by Jennifer McMaster of Trias Studio. It was an honour to contribute to such an engaging discussion focused on prefab housing in Australia, highlighting the ongoing tension between customisation and affordability. Harrison, co-founder of Otetto, showcased Otetto’s two offerings: off-the-plan hemp homes and the early developments of our Living Canvas prefabricated walling system; that save time and costs while promoting access to sustainable and healthier homes. A key takeaway from the event’s discussion was the need to shift people’s perceptions from customisation to standardisation, encouraging new home builders to embrace a curated, menu-like selection of home designs that are sustainable, accessible and highly liveable. We look forward to continuing this discussion and being part of the movement that highlights how the combination of prefabrication and locally-grown hemp is the change Australian homes need.
Hemp and Cotton – an inspiring field event
Upcoming Hemp Construction Workshops – Latest research and new build on the horizon
A group of local landowners came together to learn and share information about building with hemp.
