Brewarrina Sports Complex on ABC Western Plains Radio
October 2026
Last week, AJC’s Michael Jones spoke to ABC Western Plains reporter Lily Plass about the pioneering use of biogenic materials in Brewarrina’s new multipurpose sports centre.
Through the Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship, Michael spent seven weeks in Europe researching buildings made with prefabricated straw panels – from a 12-storey apartment building to a large logistics centre. That research is now informing AJC’s approach in Brewarrina, bringing international experience to local materials and manufacturing.
The design of Brewarrina’s new multipurpose sports centre proposes prefabricated timber-framed panels filled with straw or hemp for all external walls and roofs, with the final selection subject to cost and compliance checks. Michael describes the proposed scale of their use as an Australian first, and a steppingstone towards larger projects.
Alongside reducing the building’s carbon footprint, the approach offers high levels of insulation suited to Brewarrina’s hot climate. Prefabrication also enables more of the building to be constructed off-site – a practical response to its remote location – while supporting emerging NSW manufacturers.
Listen to the full interview above.
