Forest to Fibre: Timber Futures

A day of talks and tours exploring the future of sustainable timber and forestry in South East Queensland.

Since 1991 Hervey Bay has been home to a world-leading sustainable wastewater treatment model—effluent irrigated native hardwood plantations owned and operated by Fraser Coast Regional Council.   

These effluent irrigated plantations combine carbon sequestration and a reduction of ocean pollution with the long-term value of sustainable agroforestry. 

A new exhibition at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, Forest to Fibre, presents cutting edge research into sustainable timber processing and design alongside local stories, artworks and histories. It features research from some of Australia’s leading universities and architectural academics along with loans from the State Library of Queensland’s exhibition Purpose Built, Architecture for a better tomorrow.

To celebrate Forest to Fibre at HBRG, join us for a day of free presentations, tours and networking focusing on the latest research and innovations in sustainable timber processing.

This event is free and open to the public.

 

Program Outline:

10am – Hervey Bay Regional Gallery opens

• Forest to Fibre exhibition
• Harvesting simulator experience

10:30am – Welcome to Country

10:40 - 11:30am – Career Info Session
Explore career opportunities in the timber industry and learn about sustainable forestry. Suitable for students, school leavers and those wanting to break into the industry.

• Basics of carbon, timber and net zero economy – Clarissa Brandt, Strategic Relations & Communications Manager, Timber Queensland
• Panel Session: Sustainable careers in Wide Bay’s forest & timber industry – Austin Ryann, Employment Facilitator, Workforce Australia and more to be announced

11:30am - 12:30pm - Lunch

• Catered lunch provided
• Forest to Fibre exhibition
• Harvesting simulator experience

12:30pm - 1:15pm – Industry Innovation
Hear industry leaders present case studies on innovative timber processing and use. A must for Fraser Coast architects, builders and specifiers. 

• History and Overview of the Wide Bay Water Hardwood Plantation irrigated with Recycled Wastewater – Ben McClatchie, Water Reuse Manager, Wide Bay Water and Waste Services Directorate
• Establishing solutions for hardwood plantation thinnings and small diameter logs – Dr. Bill Leggate, Team Leader and Principal Research Scientist, Forest Products Innovation, Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
• Forest to Fibre – The research, design and construction of the Exhibition Installation  – Kim Baber, Fellow in Civil Engineering and Architecture, School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Queensland

1:30pm – Hebblewhite Farm Tour
Don’t miss this rare chance to go behind the scenes at one of Fraser Coast Regional Council’s native hardwood plantations.

• Meet at Hebblewhite Farm or contact us to arrange transfers from HBRG
• Afternoon tea
• Presentation from Geoffrey Stringer
• Site tour with Ben McClatchie, Water Reuse Manager, Wide Bay Water and Waste Services Directorate

3:30pm – 5pm – Networking drinks at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery