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Joint statement on CSIRO North Ryde

ACA NSW/ACT has issued the following joint statement with RAIA NSW, expressing their concern about the proposed closure of the CSIRO’s North Ryde facility, where much of Australia’s fire-resistance and reaction-to-fire testing occurs. The closure will result in significant delays in fire testing for product manufacturers, slowing construction projects across Australia and increasing delivery costs within an already strained project feasibility environment.

 

Our Statement

The Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) NSW chapter and the Association of Consulting Architects (ACA) NSW/ACT branch are urgently seeking to better understand the implications of the proposed closure of the CSIRO North Ryde facility. This decision for the broader built environment sector in NSW, particularly in relation to national fire testing capability, is concerning for the entire sector, including NCC compliance pathways, innovative construction systems, modern methods of construction, housing delivery, and research capacity.

Given the importance of independent fire-testing infrastructure to architects, engineers, regulators, and industry, the RAIA NSW chapter and ACA NSW/ACT branch strongly support the retention of independent fire-testing capability within NSW and across Australia. The proposed closure without reassurances regarding equivalent replacement presents significant risk to ensuring there are testing facilities available for national needs. Given the importance of independent fire-testing infrastructure to architects, engineers, regulators, and industry, we urgently need clarification before December 2026:

  • The rationale for the closure and proposed remedial offerings across the state.
  • Impacts on national testing capacity and certification pathways nationally.
  • The status of in-progress test programs, and whether offshore pathways adequately cover BAL products, while advocating for retention of, or a fully accredited replacement for, this critical testing capability before any closure proceeds.
  • Clarity and possible mitigation strategies regarding the delays and backlogs in fire testing for product manufacturers, slowing construction projects across Australia and increasing delivery costs within an already strained project feasibility environment.
  • Clarification regarding plans to address potential diminished national capacity to respond to future cladding-style crises through independent scientific testing and assessment.
  • Clarification regarding plans to mitigate the loss of decades of accumulated scientific expertise, specialist equipment, and institutional knowledge that, once lost, would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to rebuild.
  • Clarification regarding plans to address the loss of independent capability to assess building materials and their applications in an Australian context with potential flow-on effects to local manufacturing, cost of construction and downstream impact on the supply of environmentally and cost appropriate housing solutions for Australians.
  • Clarification regarding plans to address the resulting economic impact of the loss of North Ryde Testing Facility on costs for smaller suppliers.

We recognise these matters may still be evolving; however, we are keen to ensure the RAIA NSW chapter and ACA NSW/ACT branch are informed and involved in any future engagement on such a critical issue.

For enquiries, please contact Rozzy Middleton, ACA NSW/ACT Executive Officer at nswact@aca.org.au.