Closure of CSIRO fire testing facility risks Australia’s housing innovation pipeline

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has raised alarms over the impending closure of the CSIRO’s North Ryde Fire Technology Laboratory, a facility pivotal to the testing and certification of building products in Australia. The laboratory, which plays a crucial role in fire-resistance testing of construction materials and systems, is slated to shut down when its lease expires in December 2026.

This development is seen as a significant blow to Australia’s building and construction sector, as the North Ryde laboratory has been integral to the country’s building ecosystem. It provides independent fire testing that aids in product certification, compliance with the National Construction Code, and the research and development of innovative building products. The closure of this facility is expected to cut Australia’s fire-testing capacity by half, at a time when the demand for testing and certification is on the rise.

Simon Croft, HIA Chief Executive – Industry and Policy, expressed deep concern over the timing of this decision. “The closure of CSIRO’s North Ryde Fire Technology Laboratory is more than the loss of a testing facility, it is the loss of nationally significant innovation infrastructure,” Mr Croft stated. He emphasised the critical role of independent testing in the development of new building products and the acceleration of modern construction methods, especially as Australia grapples with a housing shortage and seeks to enhance productivity.

Croft further highlighted the ripple effects of losing such a facility. “Every new building product, construction system, prefabricated solution, engineered timber product or bushfire-resistant housing component must pass rigorous testing before it can be widely adopted by the industry,” he explained. Without the capacity for such testing, the pace of innovation could slow, costs might rise, and the delivery of housing could face additional hurdles.

Industry stakeholders have echoed these concerns, warning that the reduced testing capacity could lead to longer approval timeframes, increased certification costs, and added pressure on housing supply. Croft warned, “Australia cannot afford to lose decades of specialist expertise and nationally significant testing capability without a clear replacement strategy.”

The HIA is calling for a collaborative effort between governments, industry, and the CSIRO to ensure that independent fire-testing capability remains available in Australia. “If Australia is serious about building more homes, embracing innovation and improving productivity in construction, we need world-class testing and certification infrastructure,” Croft asserted. The North Ryde facility has been pivotal in providing such infrastructure, and its absence would leave a significant gap.

Croft concluded with a call to action: “HIA is calling for an urgent national response to preserve Australia’s building testing capability and ensure researchers, manufacturers and builders continue to have access to the facilities required to bring innovative housing solutions to market.”

The closure of the North Ryde laboratory not only threatens to hinder the pace of innovation in the building industry but also poses a challenge to the nation’s ability to meet its housing demands efficiently. With the clock ticking towards the facility’s closure in 2026, the urgency for a strategic response is undeniable. The HIA’s plea underscores the need for a concerted effort to safeguard the infrastructure that supports Australia’s housing innovation and development.