Maryborough Market-Led Proposal promotes regional industry development
11 July 2017
Queensland Government: Treasurer Curtis Pitt has announced Queensland’s sixth Market-Led Proposal (MLP) has received approval to progress to Stage 2: Detailed Proposal.
The project proposes the design and construction of a new fire station and emergency response centre in Maryborough using Queensland grown, manufactured and engineered wood products.
The project has been proposed by a partnership of forest industry and innovation experts led by Maryborough-based Hyne Timber.
Other members include the University of Queensland (UQ), Hutchinson Builders, architectural firm Baber Studio, and engineered timber provider XLam.
“This is an exciting proposal that will showcase the functionality of Queensland-grown and engineered timber,” Mr Pitt said.
“The building will be a mass timber construction of engineered wood products using Queensland-grown and manufactured glue, laminated timber Glulam and Queensland-grown and processed Australian manufactured Cross Laminated Timber (CLT).
“Construction of the building will also be used as a case study for apprentices; educating the next generation of Queensland builders about new building techniques with associated timber products."
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan welcomed the proposal for the new building and said that if approved, the project would provide a new state-of-the-art building that will acknowledge the fire services history with the region.
“The Maryborough Fire Brigade began in 1882 and was the first fire brigade in Queensland to be formed outside Brisbane," Mr Ryan said.
“The current facility, which was constructed in 1951, was scheduled for major refurbishment by 2022 but bringing forward the refurbishment date provides an opportunity to showcase a local industry and support modernisation of the site,” he said.
“Under the proposal, the new building will meet the growing needs of the region but will retain its links to the past through restoration of the heritage valued façade from the 1950’s.”
Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders praised the use of engineered timber for the project.
"I think this building could become an attraction in its own right and give travellers another reason to turn off the Bruce Highway to visit Maryborough," he said.
“Engineered timber is an environmentally sustainable building material that is versatile and attractive and provides a light but strong structure which can improve the load bearing and structural strength of timber.
“Timber is a premier construction product in Queensland and I’m proud to see innovative local businesses identifying opportunities to showcase Maryborough-grown and processed timber in new ways.
“I encourage other companies to seek out ways to use renewable and sustainable building options like engineered timber."
Hyne Timber General Manager Shane Robertson said that the proposal had been the result of a five year research partnership with the University of Queensland.
“Together with our partners we are undertaking research, partly funded by the Queensland Government, on emerging/advanced engineered timber products and associated building techniques.
“This has helped us to develop processes and technology to engineer timber as a sustainable building material which will help Queensland to lead the way in the increasingly competitive market for engineered timber products.
“We expect this project to accelerate the use of timber in contemporary construction which will revitalise the timber industry in the region."
Mr Pitt said that the proposal was an excellent example of the flexibility of the MLP framework in allowing proponents with innovative ideas the opportunity to partner with government to progress projects which will benefit Queenslanders.
“Delivery of the project will also be used as a case study to educate apprentice timber workers about use of the materials and an apprentice will gain full time employment in the Fraser Coast region when the project commences,” he said.
The Stage 2: Detailed Proposal will be developed during the next twelve months and if approved, the project will commence construction in 2018-19.
The MLP framework is an innovative pathway for businesses and government to work together, allowing government to contract directly with proponents rather than through a competitive tender process.
MLPs are an initiative of the government’s economic plan to create jobs and stimulate the economy by harnessing good ideas, private sector funding and entrepreneurship to develop projects that benefit Queenslanders.
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Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
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