Build Better and Faster: locally grown and processed timber is key to sustainable Brisbane 2032 venues

The peak industry body for Queensland’s forest and timber industry is calling on the Queensland Government to prioritise locally grown and processed timber in constructing the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues, particularly the Athlete’s Villages, citing its environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens said using sustainably sourced timber would align with global best practices while supporting local industries and jobs in addition to addressing productivity challenges identified by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s 100 Day Review released yesterday.

Mr Stephens said the Review states that venue delivery provides an opportunity to showcase innovation construction methods which have the added benefit of efficiency, increased sustainability, and could assist in alleviating some skill shortages.

“Timber and off-site manufacturing can significantly speed up construction,” Mr Stephens said.

“Prefabricated timber components can be manufactured off-site and assembled quickly, reducing construction time, site disruption, and improving safety,” he said.

“The statement by Premier David Crisafulli while unveiling the blueprint for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues regarding ‘buildings built with Queensland products’ is also encouraging for the state’s forest and timber industry, which contributes over $3.8 billion annually to the economy and supports more than 25,000 jobs,” Mr Stephens said.

“The Brisbane 2032 Games present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Queensland’s leadership in sustainable, climate-positive construction,” he said.

Timber has played a key role in recent Olympic infrastructure. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Village Plaza was built entirely from sustainably sourced timber donated by Japanese municipalities and later repurposed. The Ariake Gymnastics Centre featured a striking wooden roof, and timber was integrated into the Japan National Stadium’s facade and design.

Similarly, Paris 2024 mandated timber for all buildings under eight storeys in the Olympic Village. Other timber-based venues included the Aquatics Centre, with its expansive wooden roof, and the Arena Porte de la Chapelle, a multi-purpose stadium primarily built from timber.

“Other host cities are proving that timber is the material of choice for modern, sustainable Olympic infrastructure. Brisbane must seize this opportunity for a range of Olympic venues and related infrastructure,” Mr Stephens said.

Mr Stephens said engineered timber products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam can reduce embodied carbon in buildings by up to 75% compared to steel and concrete.

“Wood stores carbon for the life of the building and relies primarily on the sun for the energy used in its production while at the same time removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making it a crucial tool in combatting climate change,” he said.

“In addition, timber construction enhances energy efficiency, ensuring the Athlete’s Village and other venues are sustainable both in design and operation.

“Queensland has a world-class timber industry, and Brisbane 2032 represents an opportunity to invest in local manufacturing and job creation. By sourcing materials locally, the government can strengthen supply chains, reduce transport emissions, and support regional development.”

Beyond sustainability and economic benefits, using timber in the Athlete’s Villages would create healthier living spaces with proven benefits for well-being.

“The Villages will eventually be converted into residential housing, and biophilic timber buildings promote improved air quality, reduced stress, and greater comfort for its occupants,” Mr Stephens said.

Timber Queensland is urging all levels of government to commit to making timber the primary material in the Brisbane 2032 Athlete’s Villages that will be built in Brisbane and the Sunshine and Gold Coasts.

“We have the resources and expertise in Queensland to make this happen,” Mr Stephens said.

“The Brisbane 2032 Games should be a global showcase for sustainable construction, and there is no better way to achieve this than by embracing timber.”

Timber Queensland hosted the Timber Stadiums, Villages and Venues’ technical webinar in December 2024.  A recording of the event can be accessed here, it includes session from HKS Architects on Stadiums: sustainable timber design, insights into Material efficient timber construction: Paris Olympics athletes’ village presented by timber supplier Metsa Group and a case study on Timber sporting venues: Tokyo Ariake Gymnastics Centre by Hiroshi Miyakawa, Executive Design Fellow, Nikken Sekkei.