Leading companies in Australia’s timber construction sector have joined forces to launch the Future Framing Initiative (FFI), a groundbreaking collaborative program aimed at revolutionising the lightweight timber framed construction industry.
Under the governance of Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) and leadership of newly appointed Project Management Committee, chaired by Ian Tyson, the FFI will focus on modernising timber design standards and strengthening the industry’s competitive position. The program addresses critical challenges facing the sector, including outdated timber design standards and increasing competition from steel framing and concrete slab-on-ground alternatives.
“The FFI represents a unified response to market demands for simpler, more efficient building solutions,” says Ian Tyson. “Each percentage point of market share represents $27.5 million in annual revenue, making this initiative crucial for our industry’s future growth.”
The program encompasses four key components:
- Research,
- Extension,
- Communications, and
- Technical Capacity Building.
Initial efforts will concentrate on updating critical industry standards, particularly AS1684 Residential Timber Framed Construction, which hasn’t seen major revisions in over 25 years.
Strong industry support
Thirteen leading organisations have already committed to funding the initiative: AKD, Hyne Timber, Dindas Australia, Meyer Timber, MiTek, Multinail, Pentarch Forest Group, Pryda, Stora Enso Australia, Timberlink Australia, Timbertruss, Wesbeam, and Wespine. The program has also secured support from the University of Tasmania through a successful Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) research grant.
Further program objectives
Another FFI objective will be developing a new FWPA Industry Standard for Lightweight Timber Framing Design & Construction for mid-rise Buildings, aiming for inclusion in the National Construction Code 2028. The initiative will serve various building types, including detached homes, townhouses, schools, aged care facilities, and apartments.
The FFI also addresses the critical need for technical expertise in succession planning for the industry. The program, that start in February 2025, will recruit and train new technical representatives to ensure valuable industry knowledge is preserved and passed on to the next generation of industry champions.
