Exploring the Future of Timber at Parliament House
By Harrison Marsh | Otetto Mid-October, we were proud to attend the Sustainable Timber Solutions Parliamentary Showcase at Parliament House, hosted by the Parliamentary Friends of Forests, Forest Alliance NSW, and WWF-Australia. The evening brought together leaders from across the timber, construction, and sustainable materials industries to explore viable alternatives to native forest logging — a practice increasingly under scrutiny for its environmental and social impacts. It was a strong turnout, with industry professionals, policymakers, and innovators all engaging in meaningful discussions about the next chapter of timber in Australia. Opening remarks from Dermot O’Gorman, CEO of WWF-Australia, and Justin Field from Forest Alliance NSW set the tone for the night — highlighting the urgent need to protect our remaining native forests and accelerate the shift toward sustainable, regenerative materials. Displays from House of Bamboo, Hemp Inside, Bamboo Society Australia, Australian Hemp Council, iHempNSW, and BVN Architecture showcased how materials like hemp, bamboo, and engineered wood products are already reshaping what’s possible in the built environment. For us at Otetto, it was an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded innovators and explore how these materials can work together to fill the gaps. Finding Balance, Not Replacements While hemp and bamboo offer impressive performance and sustainability credentials, they are not a like-for-like replacement for hardwoods — either in performance or aesthetics. Trying to directly replace native timber with these materials is a bit like trying to make vegetarian food look and taste exactly like meat. Each has its own unique strengths and characteristics, and part of the challenge is learning how to design and build in a way that embraces those differences rather than mimicking the past. Supporting Industry Transition Another key takeaway from the event was the recognition that the transition away from native forest logging is not just an environmental issue — it’s also a people issue. The emerging hemp and bamboo industries can play a vital role in providing new opportunities for workers and regional communities historically tied to forestry. These new industries can offer sustainable, locally grown alternatives while supporting a fair and considered transition for those affected by industry change. The Importance of Responsible Land Management If a ban on native forest logging goes ahead, it’s essential that the land is managed correctly. Protecting forests is only part of the equation — how that land is maintained will determine the long-term success of the policy. Poor management practices, particularly around fire mitigation, have historically caused more damage to native habitats than sustainable, selective forestry operations. As highlighted by many within the agricultural and environmental sectors, including land managers with decades of experience, government agencies have often struggled to properly maintain the land they already oversee. Without proactive management, the risk of catastrophic fire events increases — ultimately threatening the very ecosystems these policies are designed to protect. At Otetto, we recognise this is a complex and sensitive space. Sustainable forestry and conservation can coexist if managed correctly. Regeneration, selective harvesting, and habitat corridor planting can all form part of a balanced approach that supports both environmental and economic outcomes. It’s not about one side being right and the other wrong — it’s about finding common ground where biodiversity is protected, and communities and industries can continue to thrive sustainably. Education and Collaboration As these sectors continue to grow, education will be critical. Suppliers, specifiers, builders, and end users all need better access to knowledge and training on how to implement these materials effectively. Understanding how to design, engineer, and build with hemp and bamboo will be key to ensuring they take root in the mainstream construction landscape. The event also saw encouraging interest from attending politicians, signalling growing recognition at the policy level of the potential these materials hold. This kind of support will be essential to helping the industry mature and scale responsibly. Looking Ahead The realities of native forest logging — as highlighted in recent reports by WWF-Australia — show why finding alternatives is so important. But as we saw at Parliament House, the solutions are already taking shape. With collaboration, education, and open-minded design thinking, we can move toward a future where sustainable materials like hemp and bamboo play a major role in Australia’s construction story. At Otetto, we’re proud to be part of that conversation and look forward to continuing to work with partners across the industry to build better, cleaner, and smarter. Photos courtesy of Jeremy Thomas (Hemp Building Directory) and Colin Steddy (Hemp Inside).
