Mark Gilder – Head of Development, Urban Planning & Technology – Ciircl

Mark Gilder is an architect, urban strategist and industrial designer with over two decades of international experience in the design and delivery of complex, award-winning projects across sectors including infrastructure, housing, transport, and urban development.
In 2024, Mark co-founded Cortese Gilder, a progressive practice that integrates architecture, urban design, and planning with a focus on modular housing and sustainable transport. The practice is committed to delivering socially responsive and environmentally responsible outcomes at all scales.

As part of this practice, Mark co-leads Ciircl, a transformative initiative that reimagines how low-carbon urban assets can be leveraged to generate both financial and social value. Ciircl is accelerating Australia’s transition to a circular carbon economy by enabling housing at scale that is equitable, affordable, and climate-positive.

Ciircl has developed an innovative suite of modular housing systems supported by a scalable, high-efficiency supply chain designed for mass delivery across Australia. These systems prioritise disassembly, reuse, and rapid on-site assembly, using prefabricated, flat-packed components. The construction palette incorporates a wide range of biogenic materials, dramatically reducing embodied carbon and positioning Ciircl at the forefront of sustainable housing innovation.

Dr. Nana Bortsie-Aryee is a sustainability and strategy expert specializing in Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and International Material Flow Management. As Program Director at Global GreenTag International, he leads product certification programs focused on environmental and social sustainability within the built environment.

He earned two Master’s degrees in Germany and Japan and a PhD from the University of Otago. With extensive experience in sustainability across Africa, the US, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand, he champions material use transparency within green buildings, greenhouse gas emissions and water footprint disclosure, renewable energy, clean technologies, and sustainable resource management, driving impactful solutions for global environmental challenges.

Research commercialisation: from idea to market

This session will explore the pathway to commercialisation for emerging industry entrepreneurs. Transitioning from research idea to real-world-impact requires more than innovation; it demands strategy, readiness, and connection to the right support structures.

At Sebstainable, we bring together academia, industry, and funding opportunities to create exceptional real-world consortium projects. Sebstainable’s current innovations, amongst the first of their kind-in the world, range from renewable energy, to circular economy and healthcare. Each of these began as a research idea and, over a three-year journey supported by government funding, several are now investment-ready and entering commercial stages.

Drawing on this experience, Vlad will discuss common pitfalls in early-stage research commercialisation and share insights into building strong, cross-disciplinary teams that effectively bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Vlad will also highlight the range of support available from state and federal governments. At Sebstainable, our Strategic Funding Team specialises in aligning early-stage innovations with the most suitable grant opportunities. To date, Sebstainable have secured over $80 million in government funding for our clients.

Innovation is vital to both Australia’s economic and environmental future. This session will help you identify pathways.

Vlad is a commercial strategist with over 30 years of experience scaling innovation-led organisations across technology, energy, health, and circular economy.

He has held executive and advisory roles in deep-tech ventures, smart cities initiatives, and sustainability programs, with a focus on commercialising solutions that deliver measurable impact.

Vlad is the Co-Founder and Commercial Director of Sebstainable, where he leads integrated decarbonisation programs by aligning industry, government, and research partners. He has supported high-impact project development across Australia through investment readiness, grant strategy, and innovation stacking.

The AHC and it’s Member Organisations

The AHC was established in August 2020 as an Incorporated Association registered in South Australia.

The AHC was conceived to comprise seven member associations representing the hemp industry in each state and the NT. Each member association appoints a Councillor to join the AHC.

The seven Councillors constitute the Management Committee of the AHC Association and have full control over the affairs of the AHC.

The AHC also has provision for Affiliate Membership without voting rights.

The AHC may establish subcommittees and other working groups to assist in the pursuit of its objectives.

While the AHC seeks to present a unified voice to government and national agencies, the state member associations remain fully autonomous and the AHC does not exercise any control over its members’ internal affairs.

The acceleration of a nationwide energy transformation in how Australians heat, cool, and power their homes is underway.

Cost-of-living pressures, energy costs, and concerns around climate change are motivating householders to act to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

RACE for 2030 CRC is a 10-year co-operative research centre with AUD350 million of resources to fund research towards a reliable, affordable, and clean energy future. https://www.racefor2030.com.au

Scott Barnes is a scientist, early adopter and convert to electric vehicles and well insulated comfortable homes. Scott trained as an Agricultural Scientist and has worked in Australia, Canada and Sweden in agriculture, animal production, and material science.

He is now as Technical Research Manager for RACE for 2030 CRC.

Why the Paddock Needs to Be Closer to the Plate – And Why the Plate Needs to Be Smaller

Australians have the highest per capita housing footprint in the world and our construction industry generates over 18% of our national carbon footprint. While there are international agreements about necessary emissions reduction, discussions around net zero and there’s growing interest globally in bio-based materials, to actually meet targets within the necessary timeframes we need profound change.

In the residential building sector we need smaller, smarter design. Adaptive reuse and refurbishment rather than demolition of existing buildings needs to become the norm and ultimately consistently high-quality construction materials need to be produced much closer to where they are being used.

The paddock needs to be close to the plate. To be a major part of the solution we need to be able verify all the claims we make about hemp building materials in their multiple forms, especially in relation to carbon and energy-efficiency. We inevitably need standards. Solutions need to be tested. We need a track record of consistently high-quality builds to encourage greater adoption. This needs to be accompanied by a broad push for education of building professionals across the board. Until all these elements align, hemp construction will continue to face challenges in gaining traction in a highly competitive sector that’s inherently prone to litigation.

Leigh Fletcher is the driving force behind Murray Industrial Hemp, a company rooted in regional Australia and dedicated to harnessing hemp’s potential as a sustainable, scalable building material. By fostering a new industry in Barham and surrounding areas, Leigh’s vision supports growers and rural communities facing dramatic changes in agriculture, including water scarcity and climate challenges.

Hemp offers farmers a resilient, low-impact crop that diversifies income streams and revitalises local economies, ensuring long-term prosperity.

At the upcoming Hemp-Connect Forum session, “Real Business. Real Materials. Real Impact!”, Leigh will outline his strategy to scale Murray Industrial Hemp by supplying renewable, biodegradable, and low-impact hemp-based building products to Australia’s construction sector. From hemp blocks enabling carbon-neutral or carbon-negative buildings to future innovations in insulation, flooring, and structural components, Leigh’s approach delivers practical, climate-smart solutions.

This isn’t just business—it’s a commitment to sustainable development and supporting rural communities through a transformative industry.

Leigh Fletcher has developed sound knowledge and understanding of hemp processing, products and market dynamics during the development of Murray Industrial Hemp and its hemp precinct project.

Leigh has also built strong relationships with industry partners, investors, growers and local stakeholders, enhancing their ability to execute complex projects.

Homes from Hemp-building for a decarbonised future

“The construction industry in Australia contributes significantly to climate change. Buildings and infrastructure are directly responsible for nearly one-third of the nation’s total carbon emissions and indirectly responsible for over half of all emissions. These emissions are further divided into embodied carbon from construction activities and upfront carbon from building materials.

As the need to accelerate housing supply grows, now is the time to rethink how we deliver decarbonised housing—homes that are manufactured, constructed, and inhabited in truly sustainable ways, at every opportunity.

We believe that substituting conventional building materials and systems with hemp offers a powerful opportunity to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of each home we build. That’s why we are presenting at Hemp Connect!”

Alf Wheeler is the Founder and CEO of Zeo Sustainable Materials, a company revolutionising green manufacturing by transforming waste cellulose—such as hemp and recycled paper—into premium, petrochemical-free products.

With decades of experience in design, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship, Alf leads the development of Zeoform Micro Pulp™, a natural, high-performance material used in sustainable construction, furniture, and interiors. Passionate about circular design and climate-positive innovation,

Alf is a vocal advocate for regenerative materials and localised manufacturing. His mission: to prove that beautifully crafted, biodegradable products can compete at the highest level—without compromise.

ZeoBoards: Hemp-Based, Petrochemical-Free Panels for the Future of Construction

ZeoBoards are an innovation poised to disrupt the global market for engineered wood products. Made entirely from waste cellulose, including hemp hurd and recycled paper and bound with nothing but water, ZeoBoards offer a non-toxic, petrochemical-free alternative to MDF, particleboard, and plywood. They are produced using Zeoform Micro Pulp™ (ZMP), a proprietary natural matrix that eliminates the need for glues, resins, or additives.

But beyond material innovation lies a scalable business opportunity. The demand for sustainable, circular materials in construction and interior fit-outs is growing rapidly, driven by legislation, certification systems, and market pressure for carbon-neutral solutions. ZeoBoards meet these demands while unlocking a decentralised manufacturing model: compact production units that can be installed regionally to transform local waste into high-value building products. This reduces transport costs, creates local jobs, and supports circular economy goals.

This presentation explores ZeoBoards not just as a product, but as a platform for growth; Licensable, modular, and ready for global scale. For builders, designers, developers, and investors, ZeoBoards represent a rare convergence of environmental necessity and commercial potential. The future of construction is not only greener, it’s local, regenerative, and profitable.

“I’m participating in the Hemp-Connect Forum because hemp is more than a material, it’s a catalyst for the regenerative future of construction. If you’re serious about sustainability, circular design, or decarbonising the built environment, this is where the real conversations are happening.” — Alf Wheeler, Founder & CEO, Zeo Sustainable Materials

Industrial Hemp and Forest Futures

The demand for timber continues to increase in Australia and globally. Australia’s forestry sector is continuously unable to respond to fluctuating domestic demands, leaving Australia to rely on imports and unsustainable practices, like Native Forest Logging.

Locally grown and manufactured products, like hempwood, could help Australia improve its sovereign capability to address the housing crisis, increase long-term employment and wellbeing outcomes in regional areas; all while keeping old-growth native forests on the ground for the wildlife and ecosystem services Australia relies on for climate adaptation. For this to occur, Australia’s federal and state governments need to increase their support for the nascent hemp industry.

Jailene Santana is Forest Futures Specialist at WWF-Australia. As Forest Futures Specialist, Jailene works to advocate for sustainable timber production through an expansion of FSC-certified plantations, increased engineered-wood-product manufacturing facilities and timber-alternatives around Australia.

Jailene has a background in Sustainable Development Economics and Policy, specialising in just and equitable industry transitions for regional communities amidst the polycrisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and resulting global economic trends.

Hempcrete plays a key role in the University of Tasmania’s $131 million Forestry and Timberyards redevelopment, helping to create a sustainable, state-of-the-art hub for learning and teaching in Hobart.

Architect – Woods Bagot, Builder: Hansen Yuncken, Installer: HannanBuild, Hempcrete Binder Supplier and Advice: Australian Hemp Masonry, Building grade hurd supplier : X-Hemp. Rendered image courtesy of Woods Bagot.

The Rise of Hemp in Self-Build Projects

This presentation explores the growing movement toward self-building with natural materials, with a special focus on design opportunities for residential hemp construction.

Drawing from research and field experience, the talk will highlight the key motivations and planning considerations for natural building— discussing environmental consciousness, health benefits, autonomy and affordability.

Dr Rachel Goldlust is a qualified town planner, sustainability researcher and founder of Natural Building Australia, an online portal seeking to grow and connect trades, research and experience for building with natural materials across Australia.

Following years of research, running workshops and consulting, Rachel enjoys sharing her passion for sustainable design and education to better the relationship our homes have with the broader environment.

Research capabilities for transformative application to the Australian hemp industry

La Trobe University has built considerable research capacity in cannabis, initially within the ARC Medicinal Agriculture Research Hub (2019-2024) and currently in the ARC Protected Cropping (PC) Hub (2025-2029), encompassing both discovery science and commercial translation. Technologies include controlled environment glasshouses equipped with non-invasive plant phenotyping (RBG, fluorescence and hyperspectral imaging) enabling speed breeding and modelling of yield and quality traits, tissue culture and genetic transformation for propagation and testing of gene function, as well as extraction methodologies (in collaboration with The University of Melbourne) and various analytical (‘omics) tools for hemp stem (fibre and hurd) and seed analysis.

The La Trobe Business School and newly established Centre for Food Science also provide supply chain, market and consumer preference analysis as well as seed processing and food product innovation capabilities. In summary, the ARC PC Hub is well positioned to bring transformative changes to the Australian hemp industry value chain.

A brief overview of these capabilities will be presented.

A/Prof Monika Doblin is a plant bio(tech)logist with over 20 years of research experience in investigating the structure and function of cell surfaces and their constituent molecules (polysaccharides, glycoproteins and cognate enzymes). She uses multidisciplinary approaches to answer questions about how cell surface polymers and compounds are made, assembled & remodelled to suit plant function, and to tailor them for end-use applications.

Her research spans fundamental science to applied industry projects, the latter focused on utilising scientific knowledge to make renewable resources more productive for human use. Current projects include those aimed at understanding how soluble dietary fibre is made in cereals and enhancing the productivity of medicinal and horticultural plant species.

Bob Doyle was a dairy farmer for over 20 years before becoming involved with the hemp industry and growing his first hemp crop for Ecofibre in 2010. With Dungog Hemp he went on to build a decorticator which was able to produce hurd for over 150 houses. This left him with a lot of baste fibre for which there was no ready market in Australia. However in 2022 he was able to sell a container of fibre to China which is becoming an increasingly significant opportunity for Australian hemp fibre.

Bob has been involved in all aspects of the hemp production chain which includes a more recent development to secure and store seed through the Hunter Valley Hemp Seed and Grain company.

As part of Doyle Rural Services Bob also manages agricultural properties for clients, including coal mines.

A foundational understanding of crowd-sourced funding (CSF) and equity crowdfunding mechanics.

An overview of Birchal’s market leadership and track record.

A step-by-step roadmap showing how quickly (under 10 weeks) a campaign can be planned, launched, and closed.

Insights into tangible benefits—from accelerated fundraising to brand advocacy—so that companies can decide if CSF is the right next step.”

Dr Massoud Sofi is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Infrastructure Engineering (The University of Melbourne) and the Chief Investigator (CI) of several CRC Projects (Australian Federal Government funded projects). Massoud is a structural engineer by qualification.

His research interests include sustainable construction materials, upcycling of industrial by-products, fit-for-purpose concrete mix selection and technology, in-situ health diagnostics and monitoring of civil infrastructure. Massoud is the co-editor of Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering (eJSE ) and a fellow of Engineers Australia

Dr Massoud Sofi is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Infrastructure Engineering (The University of Melbourne) and the Chief Investigator (CI) of several CRC Projects (Australian Federal Government funded projects). Massoud is a structural engineer by qualification.

His research interests include sustainable construction materials, upcycling of industrial by-products, fit-for-purpose concrete mix selection and technology, in-situ health diagnostics and monitoring of civil infrastructure. Massoud is the co-editor of Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering (eJSE ) and a fellow of Engineers Australia

An update on the CRC-P: Healing Australian Carbon Wounds Using Hemp Plantation and Construction.

This presentation will provide an overview of the achievements to date for the Cooperative Research Centre – Project, led by Revox Australia Pty Ltd and The University of Melbourne as the primary research provider. The project is is advancing the use of industrial hemp as a regenerative and carbon-smart solution for Australia’s construction and housing sectors. The project focuses on three interlinked objectives: optimising hemp agronomy to reliably produce construction-grade fibre (e.g., yield, resilience), developing novel hemp-based building materials (bio-composites, panels, etc.), and encouraging their integration into conventional construction practices.

Recent agronomic trials across Victoria have identified hemp varieties and farming techniques that can maximise biomass yield while maintaining environmental resilience. Concurrently, material development has progressed with the successful prototyping of bio-composite panels using hemp hurds and/or fibres, exploring alternatives to conventional high-carbon construction products such as timber and cement-based boards. These prototypes exhibit promising physical properties aligned with building standards. The research group is currently characterising and optimising the materials’ thermal conductivity and moisture-absorption characteristics.

The project also encourages collaboration between growers, researchers, and manufacturers to enable the establishment of a viable hemp-based building products industry in Australia. This includes ongoing testing and engagement with end-users across the construction and building materials supply chain. By leveraging Australia’s unique capacity for hemp cultivation and growing demand for sustainable housing, the project demonstrates the role of industrial hemp in reducing reliance on carbon-intensive materials while stimulating regional economic development.

I am part of Standards Australia’s Engagement team, working with stakeholders across both the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. I have almost 5 years of experience in standardization after graduating the University of Technology in Sydney with a Bachelor of Management.

I have worked at both Australia and the UK’s national standards bodies, whilst also engaging closely with the global and European standards organisations, on dozens of standards across multiple sectors. I have worked closely with the Australian Hemp Council on developing standards in the Hempcrete Composite Construction space and am passionate about the opportunity to work with emerging industries in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

Ernesto Valenzuela is a Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Economics at La Trobe University, Australia. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University (USA) and an MSC in Agribusiness from Southern Illinois University (USA). He has authored over 90 scholarly publications in agricultural economics, socio-economics indexes, climate change, and regional economics.

Beyond academia, Ernesto has advised governments and international agencies through consultancy and commissioned work, including projects for the World Bank, United Nations, CSIRO, AgriFutures, Regional Development Victoria, and Rio Tinto.

His recent research includes the 2024 report Hemp in Gippsland: Potential Multi-Industry Development (prepared for CSIRO and Regional Development Victoria), exploring hemp’s role in regional diversification. In 2025, he co-authored a report for the Phil Warner Foundation on the economic viability of hempcrete as a low-emissions, affordable material for modular housing.

This presentation shares key insights from recent research on the potential of hempcrete modular panels to deliver affordable carbon housing in Australia.

Drawing on extensive industry consultation and international comparisons, the presentation highlights the environmental, structural, and economic benefits of hempcrete panels—including reduced embodied carbon, enhanced thermal efficiency, and fire resistance—positioning them as a scalable solution to Australia’s housing and sustainability challenges. The presentation will also outline a roadmap of future actions to develop a cohesive and viable hempcrete industry over the next seven years.

David is Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the La Trobe Business School and co-lead of the ‘Food Business, Food Security and Digital Agriculture’ research domain at LISAF. He is also an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Queensland’s School of Economics.

With more than 20 years of international experience, David has led numerous research initiatives and collaborated extensively with industry, government, and community stakeholders. He has produced over 60 research articles and reports, including multiple studies published in the Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

The Warner Research Institute is a certified Not-for-Profit Research Organisation registered with the Australian Government as a Deductible Gift Recipient. Our core purpose is to foster and promote scientific research that helps create a sustainable, equitable world.

For more than 20 years, Across International has been manufacturing industry-grade laboratory supplies, providing reliable tools to various universities, research facilities, and laboratories in Australia. As an ISO-certified laboratory equipment supplier, we have consistently delivered cutting-edge equipment designed to meet our clients’ requirements.

Hemp Inside is an Australian-owned company pioneering sustainable practices and regional manufacturing with industrial hemp.

Through circular design and whole-plant utilisation, we transform locally grown hemp into high-value building materials, textiles and seed-based wellness products. We’re building a resilient, low-carbon supply chain right here in Australia.

At Southern Hemp, we specialise in creating sustainable, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes with hempcrete.

With over a decade of experience, we’re trusted across Victoria and beyond for our expertise, quality craftsmanship, and commitment to a greener future.

Klara Marosszeky is the Founder/ Managing Director of Australian Hemp Masonry, Australia’s lead organisation in hemp building materials research.

AHM manufactures in Sydney and supplies BCA compliant Australian hemp building materials for new residential and commercial builds and retrofits. 2 recent commercial projects have won national and international architectural awards.

As a qualified educator, Klara delivers training to Owner Builders and Builders and works closely with Architects and Building Designers, as well as hemp processors. She has been involved in hemp cropping since 1999 and building materials research since 2000 and is actively involved in the AU NZ Standards Working Groups.

Shishir Chowkse is Head of Finance at Birchal, Australia’s leading equity crowdfunding platform. With a CPA background, he has partnered with global venture capital firms and guided high-growth companies through multiple funding rounds.

As a founding team member of several unicorn startups, Shishir combines deep operational expertise with strategic vision to scale businesses across Australia, India and North America. His strengths include financial modelling, investor relations and capital markets strategy.

Known for his analytical rigour and collaborative leadership, Shishir is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and supporting the next generation of game-changing ventures.

Ciircl is a transformative platform designed to convert low-carbon urban assets into beneficial financial and social outcomes. By transitioning housing at scale into the circular carbon economy, Ciircl delivers equitable and affordable home ownership across all income levels—while dramatically reducing Australia’s carbon emissions.

As a market-based solution, Ciircl enables the widespread supply of desirable, sustainable homes through innovation in finance, manufacturing, and material use. Central to our approach is the belief that delivering affordable, sustainable modular housing demands a cross-disciplinary, holistic methodology—one that addresses the economic, social, and environmental barriers contributing to Australia’s housing and climate challenges.

Our model considers the entire building supply chain, from material sourcing and product development to manufacturing and delivery. This is enabled by our proprietary circular assessment tool, which sets clear targets and defines strategic categories for investigation and continuous improvement.

We have developed a suite of modular housing systems supported by a robust, scalable supply chain capable of mass delivery into the Australian market. These systems are designed for disassembly, reuse, and rapid on-site assembly, using prefabricated, flat-packed components. Our construction palette includes a diverse mix of biogenic materials that significantly reduce embodied carbon.
Among these materials, hemp-based products have emerged as a cornerstone of our low-carbon materials catalogue. Over the past 12 months, Ciircl has made a substantial investment in the research, development, and prototyping of hemp-based building systems. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative R&D, we have made significant progress. However, the path forward requires continued engagement, investment, and innovation. We remain committed to advancing hemp as an ecologically sound, cost-effective, and high-performance alternative to the cementitious products that dominate Australia’s built environment today.

Alastair Flynn is a Woods Bagot associate principal with extensive experience in large-scale public buildings, managing complex stakeholder groups across multidisciplinary project teams.

Alastair is the project architect on the University of Tasmania redevelopment project, leading the design and adaptive reuse of the heritage-listed Forestry building for the University of Tasmania.

Understanding nutrient use in hemp and its impact on biomass production and flowering

Hemp-type cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivars are often characterized by efficient nutrient use – which enables cultivation on marginal lands – and high vegetative biomass for bast fibre and hurd production. Dual purpose hemp cultivars also produce seed for hemp oil which is high in omega-3 fatty acids that benefit human health.

Female plants can be cultivated to produce flowers rich in the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) which is used for medicinal purposes. However, redirecting resources towards flowering and seed production has a negative impact on stem elongation and therefore fibre tensile strength. In this dioecious species, stress also causes hermaphrodites, with male pollen sacs forming alongside female flowers. This again reduces fibre quality.

Here, I assess the performance of a dual-purpose hemp cultivar in response to changes in day-length as well as phosphorus and nitrogen supply, with particular emphasis on nutrient use, impacts on flowering time, growth characteristics and biomass yield. Under extended photoperiod, high nitrogen supply delays flowering and promotes vegetative biomass production. Under short-day conditions, flowering is prioritized under both moderate and high nitrogen supply, however, high nitrogen supply depletes phosphate reserves thus reducing overall flower yield.

The response of hemp to phosphate supply differs notably from other dicotyledonous crops such as brassicas and tomato with no suppression of root uptake in response to full vacuolar stores in aerial parts. Nitrate uptake on the other hand remains repressed with increasing phosphate supply. This lack of feedback regulation leads to depletion of nitrate pools – with severe impacts on stem and vegetative – but not flower – biomass. Altered nutrient sensing in hemp may be a consequence of its adaptation to nutrient-poor soils in its native habitat. Putative breeding strategies to improve nutrient response will be discussed.

Good true stories. How some other industries broke through.

To maintain and sustain our planet we must learn to advance without further degradation; to advance we need to research; to research requires vision; to realise the vision one needs courage; courage requires conviction; conviction is driven by purpose. The Warner Research Institute’s purpose is for our planet, our home, to be self-sustaining.

Throughout time humans have advanced using technology fueled by the access to currency. However, currency knows no emotion, it has no vision, courage, or conviction. Currency only has purpose when it is in the hands of those who have vision and purpose.

All of us are looking for more sustainable ways of improving our standard of living and the impact that it has on our planet. Producing cleaner “renewable” forms of energy is to be applauded. However, we are demanding access to more and more energy, instead we could also find ways of reducing our need for it by developing smarter processes and products.

Affordable Carbon Housing is without a doubt an unavoidable need. Reduced need for electricity, minimal air conditioning, fire resistance, healthier environment with breathable walls, minimal polymer based finishings and furnishings, and most importantly, meet the future building codes required by law. Vision, courage, conviction and purpose. Invest now, be ready for then.

Positioning the hemp industry ​f​or structured growth

In 2024, Winton Evers reported to the NSW Hemp Taskforce on the challenges facing Australia’s industrial hemp industry and proposed the Hemp Data Platform (HDP) as a solution to improve coordination, traceability, and carbon credit potential.

In this presentation he will cover the points made in that report including the use of the HDP as a live lifecycle analysis tool that tracks carbon sequestration across the hemp value chain—from farm to end product—supporting both market development and future ACCU method eligibility. It includes a buy/sell marketplace to reduce supply mismatch, boosts utilisation of underused biomass like fibre, embeds specification requirements across the value chain to ensure quality assurance and enhances traceability for regulatory compliance and climate reporting. The platform is also designed to support state regulators by providing visibility of licensed participants and activity.

Winton reported challenges to aligning hemp carbon storage with Australia’s National Inventory and FullCAM system, resulting in the rejection of his ACCU method proposal. However, advocacy is building to pursue method development, and CSIRO researchers have flagged the hemp crop for future inclusion in FULLCAM. The HDP supports industry transparency, builds confidence for growers and buyers, and can contribute to climate goals by enabling high-integrity carbon removal and supporting the scale-up of hemp-based construction and bio-based materials.

Winton Evers is a carbon accounting and sustainability strategy expert with over 16 years of experience. Winton holds a Master of Science, major in Climate Change and many other qualifications.

Founder of Eco Profit Management Pty Ltd, he integrates financial systems with ESG reporting, climate governance, and emissions reduction. A registered Climate Active consultant, Winton works with major organisations whilst leading training for Carbon Training International.

He designs capacity-building programs that deliver measurable carbon and financial outcomes across the corporate, government, university and community sectors. He develops tools to address specific information requirements in carbon accounting including his Hemp Data Platform.

Matthew Lariba-Taing is a strategic business leader and technical innovator with over a decade of experience spanning infrastructure systems, industrial automation, and emerging agricultural markets.

As co-founder and Director of Hemp Inside, he applies deep industry knowledge to commercialize sustainable hemp-based products across Australia. He also serves as President of the Australian Hemp Council, guiding national governance and policy reform.

With a background in Building Management Systems for a leading OEM (Johnson Controls) and advanced IoT development in agtech, Matthew’s career bridges technology, stakeholder management, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. He is committed to scalable, circular economy solutions that deliver measurable environmental and commercial outcomes.

Dr Ricarda Jost is a senior research fellow in the ARC Research Hub for Protected Cropping (PC Hub) at La Trobe University, and scientific advisor of the recently established La Trobe University node of the NCRIS-funded Australian Plant Phenomics Network. Her background is in plant molecular physiology and plant nutrition, as well as optimizing plant performance in protected cropping environments – in particular medicinal plant cultivation.

Her research has been diverse and impactful, ranging from identifying key regulators of nutrient signalling in model species and the role of phospholipids in early drought response of cereal roots to understanding phosphate toxicity in Australian Proteaceae. This has led her to investigate how manipulation of underlying response networks may enhance crop productivity, nutritional quality and sustainability of food production.

Throughout her career, she has benefitted from working together with internationally renowned experts at the Leibnitz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Germany, as well as at the Australian National University, the University of Western Australia and La Trobe University. She recently edited a special issue on medicinal plants in the Journal of Experimental Botany. Her work has been cited extensively, reflecting her profound contributions to the field.

UTAS Forestry: Sustainability in Practice

Hobart’s historic Forestry building is undergoing a restoration, set to become a new, inner-city hub for learning, research, collaboration and community. Woods Bagot are the architects restoring and redeveloping the site as the centrepiece of the University of Tasmania’s city campus transformation.

UTAS is the leading university in the world for climate action, and as such, the project needed to be underpinned by the highest environmental responsibility standards, targeting 40 percent less embodied carbon than comparable buildings and retaining more than 60 percent of the existing structure. Through adaptive reuse and a comprehensively circular strategy, the project uses material recovery where possible, eliminating carbon-intensive materials, and introducing only sustainable materials. Once completed, the UTAS forestry building will be the largest example of a commercial use of hempcrete in Australia.

Woods Bagot Associate Principal and project leader Alastair Flynn will be discussing the role of hempcrete – a highly sustainable, carbon-negative construction material – and its extensive application in the campus regeneration. Flynn will take audiences through the design, prototyping, fire testing processes involved in unlocking hempcrete for commercial application in Australia, and share how the material is contributing to a vibrant, sustainable, accessible and highly connected campus for the residents of Hobart.

Barriers to hemp masonry use in public and commercial construction

The built environment is responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions. The World Green Building Council vision is that by 2030 all new building have at least 40% less embodied carbon. Hemp masonry construction – carbon sequestering, locally produced and highly insulative – offers clients and built environment practitioners a path to this vision, with significant other benefits for building occupants and biodiversity.

Although hemp masonry is becoming an increasingly popular construction system for off-grid and / or sustainable residential construction, the rigorous and risk averse methods for procurement and delivery of public buildings presents significant challenges to broad adoption of hemp masonry.

The presentation will provide an overview of lessons learned in the design, approvals and construction of Class 9b (public) hemp masonry buildings in Victoria (Mildura and Meeniyan).

Standards for Hempcrete Composite Construction

Standards Australia (SA) is the nation’s peak non-government, not-for-profit standards organisation. As representatives of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), we are also specialists in the development and adoption of internationally-aligned standards in Australia.

Standards are voluntary documents that set out specifications, procedures and guidelines that aim to ensure products, services, and systems are safe, consistent, and reliable. But, how is a standard created? Who creates them, how and why do they matter to new and emerging materials and processes?

This presentation will cover off the steps taken in the development of an Australian world first standard on hempcrete composite construction and highlight the importance of standards in its role to underpin certification and technical infrastructure. It will also provide information on the rigour of standards development.

We will deep dive into the key principles of standards development ensuring World Trade Organisation Technical Barries to Trade obligations are met as well as explore the principles of transparency and consensus throughout the process for this important work. This presentation will also provide an overview of the proposed standard and Standards Australia accelerated new alternative standard development model.

Hemp, Sustainability and the Investment Opportunity

There is increasing interest in and capital seeking sustainable and impact and impactful investments.

This presentation will describe the capital and investment capital pools, including nature, scale and ambitions, which may be relevant to investing in the development and or applications of industrial hemp and potential opportunities and strategies to engage these.

For over 25 years Phil has overseen the investment of AU$22m+ into R&D for the development the entire hemp value chain, paddock to product. Phil set-up commercial hemp businesses in Australia, Europe and the USA.

After retiring from an active role in that industry, Phil set up the Warner Research Institute, a not-for-profit, ACNC, DGR entity that funds research that optimise the ongoing use, and continual reuse of our material resources in disposable and non-disposable consumer goods and eliminate waste of both materials and their embodied energy without further degradation to the natural environment.

Mark Bytheway has more than 35 years capital markets experience, including work in investment banking, corporate advisory, credit risk, analysis funds management, and most recently, in sustainable finance.

In 2000, Mark founded the Sustainable Investment Research Institute, (SIRIS), Australia’s first, dedicated, independent, specialist sustainable, responsible and impact investment research group, providing research and analysis to local, regional and global financiers, investors, asset owners and research groups. He currently provides research and advisory services to several asset managers, companies and family offices regarding ESG, and sustainable and impact investments.

Mark holds directorships in Rescope Wealth, US-based ESG AI and analytics group, KPX LLC, social and media impact investment platform, Qvests. He was a founding member of the UNEP Australasian SRI Advisory Committee and a former Trustee of the OXFAM CAA Ethical Investment Trust and degrees in law and economics and a Master of Environmental Science.

He maintains a strong interest in working with sustainable industries and entities and those seeking to transition to lower impacts, through with providing research, analysis and financing advice and support.

Anna is a registered Architect and co-founder of Footscray-based architectural consultancy Public Realm Lab.

She is an advocate, researcher and adviser on the ways in which the built environment can foster inclusivity, creativity and sustainability by putting human experience at the centre of strategic and design thinking. Anna has over a decade of major project experience spanning masterplanning, strategic facilities planning, architectural design and delivery for local councils, state government departments, not-for-profit organisations and tertiary institutions. Anna was the lead Architect for Powerhouse Place – the revitalisation of the Powerhouse on the Mighty Murray in Mildura which was awarded the Victorian Architecture Medal in 2024. Powerhouse Place delivered the first 3 public hemp masonry buildings in Australia.

She is the recipient of the Dulux Study Tour and Marten Bequest Scholarship.

Anna is also a non-Executive Director of Footscray Community Arts – an internationally recognised organisation that advocates for all communities to be valued as makers of culture.

Richard is looking forward to being the MC at the Hemp Connect forum in June 2025.

And to bring forward the connections and highlight the products being made from hemp fiber, particularly in the building industry.

Richard has been involved in the hemp industry since 1997, via Hemptastic NZ limited and more recently Hemp Seed Foods Ltd.

For the last 5 years Richard has been the Chair of the NZHIA and has been the treasurer since 1998.

During this time there have been some amazing developments in the industrial hemp world and Richard is proud to be part of the industry and promoting them at the three iHemp Summits in Aotearoa/NZ since 2018.

Recently the NZHIA and others have been working with the Government and are excited about the opportunity to review the NZ regulations to allow full plant utilisation.