From show ring to Olympic stage: timber Industry backs Prosper 2050 at Ekka launch

• The Queensland Government has released its Prosper 2050 blueprint to supercharge the state’s primary industries including agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

• Timber Queensland says the new 25-year blueprint will help deliver forest and timber industry growth with direct links to housing and infrastructure solutions.

• Launched at the Ekka, a future Olympic venue underscores timber’s vital role in creating iconic, sustainable infrastructure that delivers value well beyond 2032.

The peak state body for the forest and timber industry in Queensland has backed the release of the Prosper 2050 blueprint at the Ekka show earlier this week.

Speaking at the launch Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens said “What we like about the blueprint is that growing the primary industries sector for both food and fibre also creates direct downstream benefits for the built environment.”

“This is not only about producing the best clean, green food across the state, but also the best timber as a renewable and green building material for housing and infrastructure projects.”

Launching the blueprint at the Ekka, set to become the site of the Athletes’ Village and a major precinct upgrade for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, reinforced the case for Queensland timber as a cornerstone of iconic, sustainable infrastructure that delivers value well beyond 2032.

“The launch of Prosper 2050 and the draft Queensland Future Timber Plan by the Primary Industries Minister during Ekka week is laying the groundwork for the timber industry to work collaboratively with the Government on long-term solutions to meet growing building demand.”

Launch of the Prosper 2050 blueprint for the Primary Industries sector at the Ekka RNA showgrounds. From left to right: Mick Stephens - Timber Queensland, Dan Galligan - CaneGrowers, Jo Sheppard - Queensland Farmers Federation, Hon Tony Perrett, Minister for Primary Industries, Mike Guerin - AgForce, David Bobbermen - Queensland Seafood Industries Association.

“The announcement on the transformation of the Brisbane showgrounds and development of the Athletes Village at the Bowen Hills site as part of the 2032 Olympics represents a significant opportunity for such collaboration,” Mr Stephens said.

“Queensland has a long and rich heritage of using durable and sustainable local timber for its housing and public building needs. Incorporating this heritage into new iconic projects such as the Athletes Village and sporting venues can showcase both modern innovation with timber building systems and their biophilic health benefits for athletes and future occupants alike.”

“At the Paris Olympics for example, the Athletes Village and Aquatics Centre were both built using mass timber systems as part of a dedicated program for sustainability.”

“Procurement policies that preference sustainable construction materials such as timber can play an important role in delivering future infrastructure solutions in terms of sustainability, on-site workplace safety and total project cost-savings through prefabrication systems.”

“These opportunities will be fully explored as part of the proactive agenda with the Government for the forestry and timber construction industry.”

Industry trends and opportunities from farm forestry incorporating timber and beef production through to housing demand and modern methods of timber construction will be a focus of the Doing Timber Business in Queensland Conference to be held in Brisbane from 2-3 September 2025.