GJ Gardner Bendigo, Building Dream Homes with Renewable Timber Framing in a great country community

Bendigo's proximity to Melbourne and it’s laid-back, country lifestyle makes this regional city a ‘no brainer’, not only for interstate and overseas visitors to Victoria, but also for those seeking a more permanent ‘tree-change’.

With a population approaching 121,000, Greater Bendigo stands as one of Victoria’s most accessible and liveable regional centres. As in many well‑connected regions, housing demand continues to rise, driven by its reputation as the cultural capital of regional Victoria. This dynamic growth is fostering a thriving, diverse community, underpinned by a strong commitment to a sustainable future.

Located 90 minutes from Melbourne, Bendigo offers an ideal balance; the charm of a regional lifestyle paired with access to outer‑metro job opportunities. Housing remains comparatively affordable, with a median price of $530,000. Greater Bendigo’s price‑to‑income ratio sits at 8.7, significantly below the state average of 15.5, making it an increasingly attractive option for homebuyers seeking both value and quality of life.

Meet GJ Gardner: A leading local builder

Given the region's growth and appeal, it has been a pleasure for WoodSolutions to connect with one of the most prominent local builders in the region, GJ Gardner, and learn more about their team, story and commitment to sustainable building. 

As their slogan says, “with a G.J. Gardner Home, the joy is in the detail.” One of the details that is often overlooked is the type of structural material used behind the walls. 

We spoke with Danny Breen, part owner, Scott Baxter, construction manager, and Brooke Jones, Design Centre consultant and social media coordinator. The GJ Gardner team has worked with the WoodSolutions team to install a timber framing wall display in their Bendigo Design Centre - a place where clients come to choose their fixtures and fittings but might often not think “what’s behind the walls matters too”. 

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Why Timber Framing Matters

Danny Breen is passionate about using timber framing and ensures that clients understand the benefits.

Danny says that “I’d like our clients to appreciate that using timber is naturally insulating for their home into the future, because the timber frame is a natural insulator and helps regulate internal temperature, reducing household energy use”.

He also highlights timbers strength and durability denoting its unlikelihood to expand and contract during temperature changes, further mitigating the risk of premature cracking in plaster linings. In addition, timber framing minimises the creaking noises often produced by alternative materials as they expand and contract with temperature fluctuations, ensuring a quieter and more comfortable home environment.

Timber’s flexibility on-site also supports creative design solutions. Houses tend to settle more naturally with timber, reducing the risk of warping or movement seen with some other alternatives. This translates to long-term durability and lower maintenance, a growing priority for today’s homeowners.

Walking Clients Through the Timber Story 

Educating clients is an essential part of GJ Gardner’s approach. Brooke Jones, the Design Centre Consultant, plays a key role in helping clients understand the materials used, not just aesthetically, but structurally. 

 “Why timber framing is better” as she shares her newfound knowledge with prospective clients who visit the Centre “It’s renewable and environmentally friendly, essentially a crop on a repeatable cycle of plant, harvest, repeat. Through this collaboration with WoodSolutions, I've learnt that the average volume of structural timber used in the typical Aussie home (about 12m3) takes only 150 seconds for the Australian plantation estate to regrow!  How's that for being the Ultimate Renewable building material.”

Brooke explains that clients are invited to discovery meetings at the Design Centre, where they can explore displays and gain a hands‑on understanding of the sustainable timber framing system that will shape their future homes. This immersive experience allows clients to clearly visualise the materials behind their build and appreciate the value they bring.

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The Ultimate Renewable: Locking in Carbon for Low-Carbon Homes 

 

“It's also amazing to share with our clients that timber framing is a natural way to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. I've learnt that the trees grow for around 30 years before they are harvested, allowing them to capture large amounts of CO₂. Approximately half the dry weight of timber framing is carbon, which is locked up and stored for the life of the timber.  The average Aussie family home has removed about 8 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere keeping the carbon locked up for the life of the timber frame.  That's the equivalent of offsetting the carbon emissions of about 9 flights from Melbourne to Sydney.”

 

“Working with WoodSolutions team on this new renewable timber framing display wall in our design centre, I've learnt about how the timber frame stores carbon and that helps flight climate change.  That's something I'm proud to explain to our clients why their new homes are built with structural timber.”

 

Timber Construction: Faster, Smarter and More Reliable on Site

 

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Scott, G.J. Gardner Bendigo’s Construction Manager, brings extensive on‑site experience and a clear understanding of what works best in practice. He often shares that timber is not only easier to work with but also a more reliable choice for building.

In addition to streamlining construction timelines, G.J. Gardner Bendigo clients benefit from blue‑treated timber frames that provide built‑in termite resistance without the need for additional treatments. Timber framing also offers greater flexibility for future renovations, making it an ideal choice for growing families who may wish to extend or reconfigure their homes over time.   

Curious to see timber framing in action? Download our free campaign resources and get in touch with us to discuss how we can enhance your client experience.

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