The Northern Rivers has always done things differently.

Building on a five-decade legacy of environmental experimentation—dating back to the countercultural Aquarius Festival that put Nimbin on the map—the region is now pioneering three approaches to materials recovery and reuse emerging from the reconstruction effort following the 2022 floods.

Living Lab Northern Rivers, in partnership with Southern Cross University, will showcase three remarkable projects which are delivering benefits for housing and local manufacturing in the region. Learn about the Circular Timber project and its approach to timber reuse and recovery, about a local company 3D-printing entire small homes, and how emergency shelters can be made from bio-based cardboard.

These aren't just local solutions—they represent scalable models for post-crisis reconstruction.

Part of the national Festival of Urbanism 2025 program.

Update Thursday 16 October:
We've had to cancel our panel discussion scheduled for Monday 20 October, 2025.

With several important events now taking place on the same day, we believe each conversation deserves its full audience rather than competing for attention during an already packed ‘events’ season.

We appreciate everyone who registered and planned to attend.

The good news: we're recording a podcast with our speakers — same conversations, different format. We’ll share it with you when it’s done

--

A free morning conversation.

Monday 20 October 2025
11.00am—12.30pm, including Q&A

Living Lab Northern Rivers shopfront
11 Woodlark Street, Lismore NSW 2480

Hosted by Nicole Gurran, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Sydney.

Panel speakers include:
Dan Etheridge, Engagement Director, Living Lab Northern Rivers
Ben Roche, PVC (Research Education and Impact), Southern Cross University
Professor Andrew Rose, ReCirculator, Southern Cross University

All welcome. 
Free, inclusive and locally hosted.
Limited places — registration essential.
Refreshments provided.

Register now.

This community talk is part of the Festival of Urbanism 2025 which runs nationwide from September to October 2025. The festival is curated by the Henry Halloran Urban and Regional Research Initiative at the University of Sydney.