World first bluegum timber product unveiled on National TV Series
A world-first Australian-made engineered timber product, set to underpin a new advanced manufacturing precinct in regional Victoria, will be unveiled on national television this week.
The Green Triangle–produced bluegum (Eucalyptus Globulus) Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) product will be featured on the 9 Network production, Epic Builds, hosted by famed science communicator Adam Spencer, airing nationally on 6 April.
The new television series explores the rapid growth of modular and prefabricated construction in Australia, showcasing engineered wood products that deliver faster, stronger, and more sustainable construction.
The broadcast marks the first public use of the bluegum GLT in a residential building, highlighting its structural performance and its role as the flagship product in Portland’s proposed advanced manufacturing Precinct.
The Precinct feasibility aims to scale local production, including Laminated Veneer Lumber manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, and position the Green Triangle as a national hub for engineered timber, supporting Australia’s growing prefabricated construction market.
Australia currently imports more than $330 million of engineered wood products annually, plus $500 million of wood panels – representing more than 80 per cent of the nation’s supply needs.
The GLT product manufacturer Edwina Vulcz, owner of WTIBeam, said the bluegum GLT would play a significant role in reducing reliance on imports.
“While often hidden behind plasterboard, GLT plays a critical role in modern buildings; bridging garages, supporting large window openings and carrying long roof spans,” Ms Vulcz said.
“This bluegum product enhances performance beyond traditional resource materials, delivering significantly higher strength. It allows for longer spans, fewer structural elements and greater design flexibility, contributing to reduced construction costs,” Ms Vulcz said.
“This is the first time bluegum GLT has been successfully manufactured at scale in Australia and brought to market, marking a historic milestone for the Green Triangle plantation sector.”
The Precinct project’s development lead, Tim Woods, said the feasibility had been designed to support engineered wood product manufacturing at scale - a capability Australia urgently needs to meet its future housing supply.
“Sustainably grown plantation timber, manufactured locally, with world-class performance - this is exactly the capability Australia needs for the future of its built environment,” he said.
“We are proud to share the culmination of this five-year-long research and development story to national TV screens as we prepare for the next major stage in commercialisation, working with the Portland community.”
The Precinct study has been made possible with funding from both the Commonwealth and Victoria State Government, supported by Australian Forest Products Innovation and the Green Triangle plantation growers, Australian Bluegum Plantation and OneFortyOne.
