An avant-garde project in Queensland, Australia, is garnering international acclaim, solidifying the role of mass engineered timber in the future of sustainable public infrastructure. The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services North Coast Region Headquarters and Maryborough Fire and Rescue Station has been named the winner of the global Built by Nature “Public Infrastructure” award, with XLam, a subsidiary of James Jones & Sons Ltd, recognised as the project’s key Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) supplier.
This accolade places the project, which is Australia’s first mass engineered timber fire and emergency services complex, at the forefront of global sustainable construction. Chosen from almost 400 entries worldwide, the award was judged by international experts, including renowned architect and Grand Designs host, Kevin McCloud.
The international attention received by the Maryborough station is set to amplify, as the winning building will be showcased at the upcoming COP30 climate change conference in Brazil in November. This includes the screening of a short documentary featuring both Kevin McCloud and Sir David Attenborough, providing the project with an unparalleled platform to demonstrate how wood construction can drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment.
Principal Architect Kim Baber of Baber Studio, who accepted the award in London, highlighted the project’s success in challenging perceptions about timber’s use in critical infrastructure. The design successfully blended modern, highly sustainable mass timber construction with the restoration of the site’s original brick façade, creating a building that is both functional and culturally rooted in the Fraser Coast community.
Tom Bruce-Jones, Chairman of James Jones & Sons Group, commented on the significant achievement: “This is a tremendous accomplishment and a validation of timber’s potential in modern construction. I’d like to congratulate the project team and the Queensland Government on this outstanding achievement.”
The use of CLT, a type of mass engineered timber, was central to the project’s success and its strong sustainability credentials. CLT panels, produced by XLam using locally sourced plantation pine, serve as a high-strength, carbon-sequestering structural material.
Independent analysis of the Maryborough project confirmed it resulted in a saving of 1,742 tonnes of CO₂ compared to using conventional building materials like concrete and steel. This substantial reduction is a powerful endorsement of timber’s role in meeting climate targets.
Furthermore, the choice of CLT addressed key construction efficiency and safety concerns:
- Speed of construction: The structure, prefabricated off-site, was erected in a remarkably short period, minimising on-site disruption and accelerating the construction timeline.
- Fire safety: Despite common misconceptions, mass timber structures like CLT perform exceptionally well in fires. When exposed to heat, the external layers of CLT panels char, creating an insulating layer that protects the inner core, maintaining structural integrity for a sustained period. This superior, predictable fire performance is essential for an emergency services complex.
- Sustainability: Sourced from certified plantation pine, the timber aligns with the principles of responsible forestry, ensuring that the increasing demand for mass timber is met with sustainable practices.
The success in Australia is being leveraged by James Jones & Sons to reinforce its broader advocacy for timber globally.
Bruce-Jones drew a parallel between the award and the company’s initiatives in the UK, stating: “The overarching message surrounding this accolade mirrors our recent UK initiatives advocating the utilisation of C16 timber in British construction, while reinforcing our broader global strategy centred on the pursuit of sustainable products and practices.”
C16 timber is the most common strength grade of kiln-dried softwood used for internal structural applications in the UK, such as floor joists and roof rafters. Advocating for the optimal use of standard structural grades, alongside the advanced application of CLT, is crucial for maximising the industry’s environmental and economic contributions. The Group’s strategy aims to integrate sustainable wood products—from high-strength mass timber for large projects to cost-effective, durable structural softwood for residential builds—across the entire spectrum of modern construction.
As a significant player with a global network spanning Europe, North America, and Australasia (with XLam being part of the Hyne Group, (which is majority-owned by James Jones & Sons), the company benefits from a pooled knowledge base encompassing forestry, sawmilling, Glue Laminated Timber (GLT), and CLT manufacturing. This collaboration allows for the consistent application of best practices in sustainable raw material procurement and advanced timber processing.
The Built by Nature award is not merely a recognition of one building, but a testament to the fact that when timber is used intelligently and industrially, it offers a future where essential public buildings can be constructed efficiently, beautifully, and with a significantly lighter impact on the planet. The Maryborough Fire Station now stands as a beacon for governments worldwide looking to decarbonise their public infrastructure portfolio.
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