Australia needs a permanent solution in relation to the fire safety testing of building products and systems following the announcement of a six-month extension to the lifespan of a major fire testing facility in Sydney.

According to media reports, the CSIRO has indicated that it will extend its lease on its North Ryde Fire Technology Laboratory by six months.

As a result, the planned closure of the facility has now reportedly been pushed back from December this year to June next year.

Located in Sydney’s inner northwest, the North Ryde Fire Technology Laboratory is one of Australia’s most important building product testing facilities.

The facility is used extensively to conduct important fire resistance testing of new construction materials and systems.

It provides independent fire testing that supports product certification, compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC), research and development and the commercialisation of innovative building products.

However, the CSIRO announced in May that the facility would be closed in December when its current lease expires.

That decision followed a review of the organisation’s property portfolio in regard to infrastructure technologies.

The announcement has raised concern across the construction industry that the planned closure would remove up to half of the nation’s fire testing capability.

In the latest developments, the North Shore Lorkeet has reported that the CSIRO has now agreed to a temporary extension of its lease until June 2027.

As a result, the facility will now continue to operate until that date.

A CSIRO spokesperson said the temporary lease extension agreed to this week would allow “time to work with staff and external stakeholders and consider the feedback we have received,” the publication has reported.

Sourceable has reached out to the CSIRO for comment.

Building industry associations have welcomed the latest development, saying that the extension will provide important breathing space.

But Housing Industry Association Chief Executive Industry and Policy, Simon Croft, warns that the long-term threat to Australia’s building product testing capability remains.

Croft says that the additional time must be used to develop a permanent solution.

‘The extension was a positive step that acknowledged industry concerns, but the underlying issue remains,” Croft said in a statement.

“HIA has raised concerns with the federal government on behalf of Australian manufacturers and builders about this looming problem, so this extension provides an opportunity to further these discussions.

“However, the extension simply buys time. Australia still needs a long-term plan to protect this critical national asset.

“It is about ensuring Australia retains the testing capability needed to certify safe, compliant and innovative building products.

“The North Ryde facility plays a vital role in testing products used throughout residential construction, including timber windows, doors, plasterboard systems, flooring, façade assemblies and bushfire-rated building materials.

“Without it, Australia risks relying on a single private provider for many forms of fire testing. This reduces competition, risking increasing costs and creating uncertainty and longer delays for manufacturers seeking certification.

“At a time when governments are focused on lifting productivity and delivering more homes, we cannot afford to lose nationally significant testing infrastructure.

“This extension gives governments, CSIRO and industry a genuine opportunity to find a permanent solution. We urge all parties to use this time to secure Australia’s long-term fire testing capability.

“If six months passes without a long-term commitment, we’ll simply be back having the same conversation with the same risks hanging over manufacturers, builders and home buyers.

“A six-month stay is an opportunity that should not be wasted. The clock is now ticking, and industry will be looking for a positive solution.”

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