National Termite Workshops

• 2003: Treated Timber Framing
• 2002: Inaugural Workshop

The Need for Action

The nature of termite control is changing. We must adopt a multi-faceted approach to timber protection, so that customers have confidence in timber-built housing. Thus, forestry and timber companies, chemical companies, pest control companies, timber preservation companies, the building industry and its regulatory agencies, scientific researchers, state governments, universities and private companies, architects, surveyors, marketing and sales representatives, consumer advocates and lawyers all need to become partners in the challenge to "build out termites".

Companies promoting non-timber and non-sustainable products (substitutes) are investing heavily in this problem, but they have not overcome the ‘termite factor’. The risk of termites to houses is the same irrespective of frame type, whether timber, masonry or steel. The timber industry needs to promote the renewable and sustainable nature of its products, in partnership with architects, builders, and the pest control industry.

• Research at ILFR
• Institute of Melbourne School of Land and Environment