From Forest to Framework: Unlocking Timber Value in the Darling Downs and South-West Queensland

Timber Queensland, in collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries, is hosting a major regional forum in Roma to drive innovation and investment across the regions cypress and hardwood industries and highlight their vital role in regional employment, construction supply chains and economic resilience.

The event, From Forest to Framework: Unlocking Timber Value in the Darling Downs and South-West Queensland, has been instigated in response to the need for greater innovation, product development and collaboration across these key regional sectors.

The one-day event will unpack opportunities emerging from the Queensland Future Timber Plan, highlight innovations in forest products, and explore how the cypress and hardwood industries can better align timber supply with growing market demand in construction, bioeconomy and infrastructure.

“The cypress and hardwood industries are often the lifeblood of jobs in small regional towns producing the products that help to put a roof over the heads of people across the rest of the State,” said Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens.

“They produce timber required for decking, flooring, cladding, joists and structural beams and posts, as well as for furniture and cabinetry,” he said.

“This event is about driving new ideas and partnerships to strengthen the long-term resilience and competitiveness of these sectors,” he said. 

Industry leaders, researchers and government representatives will share insights on sustainable timber supply, new product development, bioeconomy opportunities such as biofuels and feedstock expansion, and major infrastructure projects that are shaping future timber logistics across southern and western Queensland.

The forum is designed for sawmillers, forestry contractors, harvesters and timber processors seeking to expand markets and explore new product opportunities; cypress and hardwood producers wanting the latest policy and market updates; private forest owners, graziers and mixed-use landholders interested in integrating timber as a secondary income; and builders, developers, architects and engineers working to increase the use of sustainable timber in construction.

It will also benefit local and state government officers, planners and regional development agencies involved in forestry, infrastructure and land-use planning who are seeking to understand the industry’s emerging innovation agenda.

“This is a rare opportunity for the full value chain — from growers and processors to builders and policy makers — to engage directly on how to modernise and expand Queensland’s cypress and hardwood industries in the Darling Downs and South-West Queensland,” Mr Stephens said.

Event Details

Thursday 20 November 2025

White Bull Tavern, 43 Station Street, Roma

9:00am – 1:00pm (Lunch and networking included)

Register here now