Hemp-Connect Forum 2025: Building Australia’s Sustainable Future with Hemp

Australia is on the cusp of a hemp building revolution, and the Hemp-Connect Forum 2025 is set to be its catalyst. This inaugural national event – the first of its kind in Australia – will gather the entire hemp construction community under one roof to chart a greener path for the building industry​. Mark your calendars for June 25–27, 2025, and get ready to head to the Latrobe University for two days dedicated to the future of building with hemp.

Event Details: When, Where, and Who Should Attend

Dates: Friday and Saturday, June 25–27, 2025
Location: La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food, AgriBio Building, La Trobe University, Melbourne

Who’s it for? Builders, architects, policy makers, educators, farmers, and all sustainable industry professionals passionate about eco-friendly construction are encouraged to attend. Whether you’re directly in the construction field or simply curious about green building innovations, this forum will have something for you. It’s a must-attend event for anyone looking to be part of Australia’s next big sustainability movement in construction. The forum is being spearheaded by the Australian Hemp Council (the national industrial hemp peak body) with support from iHempWA (Western Australia’s industrial hemp association), underscoring a truly nationwide initiative.

Australia’s First National Hemp Building Forum – Why It Matters

Hemp-Connect 2025 isn’t just another conference; it’s Australia’s first-ever national event focused solely on hemp building and construction, and that’s a big deal. Until now, discussions about hemp in building have been scattered across regional workshops and general hemp industry gatherings. This forum represents a milestone: a dedicated platform where the full ecosystem of hemp construction can come together​.

By uniting everyone from farmers growing hemp crops to builders mixing hempcrete, and from innovative architects to forward-thinking policy makers, Hemp-Connect will shine a spotlight on the opportunities hemp offers the construction sector. It signals that Australia’s hemp building industry has matured to a point where a coordinated, national conversation is not only relevant but necessary. Attendees can expect to learn about the latest innovations (from cutting-edge cultivation techniques to new hemp building products) and see real-world case studies of hemp in modern construction. It’s also a chance to network with pioneers in this space – imagine meeting the designers of award-winning hemp homes or the entrepreneurs behind new hemp block companies. The energy and ideas brewing at this forum could help shape the trajectory of sustainable building in Australia for years to come.

Uniting a Growing Industry: Collaboration for a Stronger Supply Chain

One of the greatest strengths of the Hemp-Connect Forum is its power to bring people together from all corners of the hemp industry. Australia’s hemp construction scene is growing rapidly, but to truly thrive it needs coordination and collaboration on a national scale. This event will facilitate exactly that. When builders, growers, researchers, and regulators are all in the same room, sharing knowledge and experiences, connections are made and solutions are found. As one Australian hemp company noted, “collaborative efforts among industry stakeholders, researchers, and government agencies are crucial to developing a robust supply chain” for hemp building materials​. In other words, getting everyone on the same page – and working together – will help ensure that hemp can move from niche to mainstream in construction.

Why is this collaboration so important? For starters, a strong network between hemp farmers and construction companies can ensure the supply of hemp hurd (the woody core used in hempcrete) meets the growing demand. Currently, some builders may struggle to source consistent, quality hemp materials, while farmers may hesitate to grow hemp without assured buyers. National knowledge-sharing can align these needs, strengthening the entire chain from farm to construction site​. Additionally, when experts pool their knowledge, they can tackle technical challenges (like optimizing hempcrete mixes or improving processing techniques) much faster.

Crucially, a unified industry can also speak with a stronger voice to policymakers. Hemp building still faces regulatory hurdles – for example, getting broader acceptance in building codes and standards. A national forum helps build consensus on what policy changes or support are needed to unlock hemp’s full potential. It creates momentum that can carry into government discussions. In fact, Australian policymakers are beginning to take note of hemp construction’s promise; figures such as a Greens Party MP have already advocated for policies to support the growth of hemp in building​. By the end of the Hemp-Connect Forum, attendees will be armed with shared knowledge and a collective voice, ready to push for the pro-development policies and standards that can take this sustainable industry to the next level.

Hemp Construction: Sustainable, Resilient and Game-Changing

Why all the excitement around building with hemp? Simply put, hemp construction is a game-changer for sustainable development and green living. Hemp-based building materials (like hempcrete, a mixture of hemp fibers and lime) offer a host of environmental and performance benefits that traditional materials struggle to match. Here are a few of the standout advantages:

• Carbon Sequestration: Hemp actually stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As it grows, industrial hemp absorbs CO₂ at an impressively high rate. When used in construction, that carbon remains locked away in the walls of your home for decades. In fact, hempcrete is so carbon-friendly that it can absorb more than twice its own weight in CO₂ during its lifecycle​. An average hempcrete house will effectively remove around 20 tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere over its lifetime– making hemp construction a powerful tool for combating climate change while we build.
  
• Excellent Insulation & Energy Efficiency: Buildings made with hemp are naturally energy-efficient. Hempcrete’s porous, fibrous structure provides excellent thermal insulation, helping keep interiors warm in winter and cool in summer​. This means lower energy bills and less strain on the environment from heating or air-conditioning. “Hemp is an extremely good insulator. It controls humidity and provides a lovely living environment,” notes Professor Rachel Burton of the University of Adelaide​. Walls made of hempcrete effectively “breathe,” regulating indoor humidity and temperature, which creates a comfortable indoor climate year-round. Some studies even suggest hempcrete walls can cut energy use by up to 75% compared to standard construction​.
  
• Fire and Mould Resistance: Hemp construction is remarkably resilient and safe. Hempcrete does not burn or easily ignite – it has even achieved a BAL-FZ fire rating (the highest bushfire safety rating in Australia) for use in bushfire-prone areas​. This fire resistance makes hemp buildings safer in wildfire-prone regions, a key consideration in Australia. Additionally, hempcrete’s breathable nature means it resists mould and mildew; moisture doesn’t get trapped in the walls, so there’s no conducive environment for mould growth​. The material is also naturally pest-resistant (termites and rodents aren’t fond of it)​ and contains no toxic chemicals. The result is a durable, long-lasting structure with healthy indoor air quality (no damp, musty smells – just a clean, dry environment).
  
• Renewable & Scalable: Hemp is a plant, not a mined or heavily processed resource, which means we can grow more of it each year. It takes only about 100 days for a hemp crop to fully mature– compare that to the decades it takes to regrow the timber for wood or the huge energy cost to produce cement. This rapid renewability means the raw materials for hemp building can be scaled up quickly and sustainably. More Australian farmers are starting to cultivate hemp for use in construction, and companies are developing pre-fabricated hemp building blocks and panels that can easily fit into standard construction practices​. All of this points to scalable, sustainable housing solutions: imagine entire communities of comfortable, carbon-negative homes that can be built efficiently with locally grown materials. Hemp construction has the potential to make that vision a reality, addressing housing needs without pillaging the planet’s resources. As one real estate publication put it, houses made from hemp could be the next “sustainable solution to Australia’s building supplies crisis,” reducing reliance on scarce materials and easing building costs​.
  

Join the Hemp Building Movement at Hemp-Connect 2025

The Hemp-Connect Forum is more than a conference – it’s the birth of a movement in Australia’s construction industry. By attending, you’re not just gaining knowledge; you’re helping to forge a new path for sustainable building nationwide. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a curious newcomer, you’ll leave inspired by what’s possible with hemp. You’ll also become part of a growing network of Australians committed to building a better, greener future.

Don’t miss this landmark event. Early buzz suggests a strong turnout, and it’s easy to see why: Hemp-Connect 2025 promises to be an exciting mix of inspiration, education, and collaboration. From keynote talks and hands-on demos to networking sessions with industry leaders, the forum will equip you with insights and connections to ride the hemp building wave. Plus, with the Australian Hemp Council and iHempWA behind it, the forum has solid backing from key industry players, ensuring a high-quality experience and impactful outcomes.

Ready to be part of Australia’s hemp building revolution? Secure your spot and get more information at the official Hemp-Connect Forum page on the Australian Hemp Council’s website. Visit the Hemp-Connect Forum 2025 event page for details on registration, program highlights, and travel info. Let’s come together this June in Melbourne to connect, learn, and build a more sustainable future – one hempcrete wall at a time!