CANCELLED: 2025 Maleny Wood Expo

In a shock announcement, Barung Landcare, organiser of the Maleny Wood Expo, has cancelled the 2025 event. While acknowledging their regret at the community, cultural and economic impact of their decision, Barung Landcare has issued a statement of regret on their website.

In the face of the event's popularity and apparent success, the reasons given by the organisers underline the harsh post pandemic reality of financing large scale public events. The statement notes: "Unfortunately, due to our organisation facing ongoing financial challenges, combined with rising supplier costs, the impacts of unpredictable weather, stricter contractual hire agreements, and the declining availability of sponsorship and investment, these factors combined, have led the Barung Landcare Management Committee to conclude that the financial risk to the organisation is now far too great to proceed with a 2025 event."

The statement gives some hope for future events however as the organisers "remain open and committed to exploring all possible avenues, and will be looking at alternative ways to continue supporting our community as we navigate these challenges."

Without the Timber & Working With Wood Shows, the WA Wood Show and now the Maleny Wood Expo, the future of large scale wood show type events seems bleak.

Read the full statement here