As featured in the Timber and Forestry E News
Architects, designers and construction companies focused on business and the environment
AUSTRALIAN-owned manufacturer of zero-carbon external timber cladding,
Weathertex has brought together industry leaders to explore, educate and drive awareness on Building a Circular Australia.
Architects, designers, developers and construction companies gathered in Sydney last Wednesday to hear how a circular economy can benefit business, society and the environment.
Speakers included Davina Rooney, CEO Green Building Council of Australia, David Rowlinson, Make it Woods program manager, Planet Ark, Jason Ross, Responsible Wood’s marketing and communications officer Amy Hogan, national manager of Sustainability, Stockland.
The event covered the foundations of what a circular economy is and how circular economies may provide hope for sustainability and economic prosperity to co-exist. It showed the importance of product stewardship, certification and chain-of-custody certification, significance of renewable resources, supply-chain analysis and sustainable business models.
“The event was a great success,” Weathertex managing director Jason O’Hagan said.
“We thank you to all those who attended and presented and Weathertex has more live events coming soon.”
Responsible Wood’s Jason Ross presented on how timber in construction can be part of the circular economy with sustainable (and responsible) wood products.
“Timber is the ultimate renewable material, but we need to make the very best use of this valuable resource,” he said. “Ensuring timber products and buildings are sourced from sustainable (and certified) forests, last for their required design life and that they can be reused or remanufactured at the end of use, are key circular economy solutions.
“By ensuring timber products meet the circular economy agenda, we can continue to incorporate these renewable, low-carbon materials into the buildings of the future and help increase the overall carbon storage in buildings.”
David Rowlinson gave a brief overview of the Australian forestry sector, one of the most highly regulated and regarded in the world.
He detailed the environmental benefits of certified timber, the only major building material that helps tackle climate change, and the role timber can play in the development of the circular economy.
Mr Rowlinson’s presentation also highlight the importance of connecting buildings with the natural world and how with ‘biophilic design’ and using wood “we can bring the benefits of nature indoors.”
His presentation included some exemplar wood projects from Australia and around the world.
Davina Rooney, a property professional with a passion for sustainability, has led the Green Building Council of Australia since 2019.
As a qualified engineer, Davina worked on largescale construction projects in Sydney and London, and spent nearly a year building an award-winning school in the Himalayas.
She has devoted a decade to driving sustainability at one of Australia’s largest diversified property companies, Stockland, which culminated in Stockland’s recognition as the world’s most sustainable property company.
Now leading a member organisation with 550-plus members with a combined value of $46 billion, Davina brought together practical knowledge, on-the-ground experience and a systematic approach to champion leadership in sustainable design and construction at the Sydney event.
Davina works with government and industry to advocate for supportive policy and transform complex supply chains. Building on a strong legacy of leadership, Davina is elevating the GBCA’s reach and impact into new markets.
She is on the board of Evolve Housing and the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, as well as chair of the Sustainable Procurement Roundtable for the Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre.
Amy Hogan’s role is to shape and lead the sustainability strategy at Stockland, embedding ESG practices across all parts of the business to deliver tangible and long term value for its stakeholders.
An authentic and experienced senior sustainability leader, she is passionate about creating a positive impact to shape a better way to live. Her professional career has included an enormous range from head of sustainability at Stockland, sitting on the Stockland senior leadership team and as chair of the Stockland reconciliation working group.
Caption: Andrew Savage, business development manager, architecture and design at Weathertex (left) with speakers at the Weathertex Building a Circular Australia event Amy Hogan, national manager of sustainability, Stockland, Davina Rooney, CEO Green Building Council of Australia, David Rowlinson, Make it Woods program manager, Planet Ark, and Jason Ross, Responsible Wood’s marketing and communications officer.
