Can timber fast-track QLD's $125bn mega pipeline? [AU]

Can timber fast-track QLD's $125bn mega pipeline? [AU]

Friday 19 Jun 2026

Queensland’s development sector is facing a pivotal moment, with a $127.5 billion pipeline of major projects expected over the next five years and growing pressure on project feasibility.

As construction costs rise and labour availability tightens, developers are increasingly focused on buildability, program risk and delivery models that can shorten timelines without adding cost.

A Brisbane industry forum later this month will bring together tier-one contractors including Hutchinson Builders, Kane Constructions and engineering firm Aurecon to assess how prefabricated timber systems are performing across commercial and civic projects.

Hosted by WoodSolutions, Timber Queensland and the ARC Advance Timber Hub, the Queensland Timber Trajectory forum will focus on the commercial realities of delivery, including procurement models, risk allocation and cost competitiveness.

The discussion comes as developers face ongoing challenges with cost escalation, labour shortages and program delays, placing increased emphasis on methods that can accelerate delivery without increasing project risk.

Recent Queensland projects are beginning to demonstrate how these efficiencies can be achieved.

At the Inala Infill Apartments social housing project, cross-laminated timber floor panels were installed in just two days compared with a six-day programme using traditional construction methods reducing crane time and improving build efficiency.

Research across Australian mid-rise developments indicates prefabricated timber systems can further streamline construction by compressing programme timeframes and reducing on-site labour demands.

The forum will examine where these efficiencies translate into commercial advantage and the conditions required for broader adoption.

Key sessions include:

Olympic infrastructure insights: Lessons from the Paris 2024 Aquatics Centre and implications for Brisbane 2032 delivery,
Tier-one builder perspectives: When timber construction becomes cost competitive at scale,
Project case studies: Queensland examples demonstrating improved delivery outcomes.

Timber Queensland General Manager Strategic Relations & Communications Clarissa Brandt said the industry was increasingly focused on performance outcomes. “Developers are looking for greater certainty in delivery whether that is program, cost or risk,” Ms Brandt said. “Modern timber systems are part of that conversation because they can improve buildability, reduce site complexity and support more predictable outcomes.”

The Queensland Timber Trajectory forum will take place at the University of Queensland on June 30.

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Source: Timber Queensland
Image credit: University of the Sunshine Coast

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