A three-city national summit will mark the first coordinated push to scale bamboo in Australia’s construction, land restoration, and climate strategy — aiming to shift the industry from curiosity to commercialisation.

From 18–20 June, the Bamboo Society of Australia will launch the Next Frontier Summit, bringing together architects, policymakers, farmers, investors, and global experts to explore bamboo’s potential as one of the world’s most sustainable building and reforestation materials.

Already in use across Asia and Europe in structural beams, panels, and even multi-storey buildings, engineered bamboo remains underutilised in Australia — despite being fast-growing, carbon-sequestering, and stronger than steel by weight.

“We’ve hit a tipping point,” says Jennifer Snyders, President of the Bamboo Society. “Bamboo is no longer a novelty — it’s a serious answer to three national challenges: carbon, supply, and climate resilience.”

Headlining the Summit is Neil Thomas MBE, world-renowned structural engineer behind The Arc at the Green School in Bali — a ground-breaking bamboo structure acclaimed for its innovation. He’ll be joined by leading figures such as Professor Yan Xiao (Zhejiang University), sustainability strategist Isabelle van der Griend, and David Sands, whose company Rizome is investing $150 million into bamboo reforestation in Asia.

“Bamboo is the most exciting natural material I’ve worked with in over 30 years,” says Thomas. “Its strength, flexibility and renewability make it ideal for Australia’s next generation of buildings.”

The Summit, held in the Sunshine Coast, Sydney, and Melbourne, will feature 20+ speakers exploring:

Structural innovation with engineered bamboo
Climate-smart design and sustainable architecture
Local growing, policy reform and regional investment
Insights from the Summit will inform the development of Australia’s 10-Year Bamboo Roadmap, launching on World Bamboo Day — 18 September 2025.

Australia lags in adopting low-carbon construction methods

Bamboo is regenerative, ultra-fast growing, and absorbs more carbon than trees

Unlocking its use could transform regional economies and architectural practices

Register and full program: https://bit.ly/bambooaustralia

Image: Structural bamboo construction of factory and showroom / Supplied.

Architecture & Design Team

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