The Earth Building Association of Australia (EBAA)
About Us
Trusted by practitioners across Australia
“Joining EBAA gave me access to real, proven knowledge—shared by practitioners who walk the talk.”
— Graham M., Rammed Earth Builder, NSW
Learn more about earth building
Our core objectives
Champion Natural Minerals
Promote informed — and environmentally benign — use of unfired earth in building practices.
Provide National Leadership
Act as the peak body for earth building practitioners across Australia, bridging tradespeople, designers, researchers, and regulators.
Shape Policy & Regulation
Engage constructively with all levels of government, shaping building practice regulations to support safe and compliant earth building.
Facilitate Knowledge Sharing
Build strong networks: information, referrals, publications, and research—rooted in both heritage and innovation.
“We promote the use of unfired earth as a building medium throughout Australia —empowering practitioners, educators, and change-makers to shape sustainable, resilient communities.”
History
Learn more about Earth Building
ABOUT EBAA
The Earth Building Association of Australia (EBAA) was formed to promote the use of Unfired Earth as a sustainable and viable building material across Australia.
WHO WE ARE
EBAA is a broad-based organisation that brings together a diverse and passionate community, including:
Builders and specialist contractors
Tradespeople and owner-builders
Manufacturers and suppliers of earth-building materials
Architects, designers, and consultants
Educators, researchers, and students
All members share a common commitment to promoting and advancing the use of unfired earth in construction.
OUR ORIGINS
1990 – Formation began at a gathering in Maldon, Victoria
1991 – First official committee elected at a meeting in Mildura, Victoria
Since then, EBAA has focused on:
Constructive communication with all levels of government and regulatory bodies
Educating both members and the wider public on the benefits of earth building
OUR NATIONAL ROLE
EBAA serves as the peak body for earth building in Australia, representing both private and commercial practitioners.
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in earth building—whether you’re a seasoned builder or simply curious about natural, sustainable construction.
EBAA Committee Members for 2024
Peter Hickson
President
Peter Hickson is a master builder and one of Australia’s leading proponents of earth
building. He has been actively engaged in earth building for 43 years in design and
construction as well as writing, education, research, innovation, promotion, leadership,
community development and aid work in Australia and overseas. Peter was a foundation
member of the Earth Building Association of Australia ( EBAA) serving on the committee as
president for the past 15 years. Peter’s business Earth Building Solutions offers services
such as building, training and consultancy.
Stephen Dobson
Vice President
Stephen was present at the very first meetings when EBAA was established. He was a founding member and has been a committee member continuously from the very beginning of EBAA. He has his own company Ramtec Pty Ltd which he founded in 1979, having built his first Rammed Earth house in Darwin in 1976.
Ramtec offers full design, approvals, consulting and construction services in the field of rammed earth both in Australia and overseas.
Stephen answers for EBAA most incoming inquiries seeking assistance in all forms of Earth Building.
Ray Trappel
Vice President
Stephen was present at the very first meetings when EBAA was established. He was a founding member and has been a committee member continuously from the very beginning of EBAA. He has his own company Ramtec Pty Ltd which he founded in 1979, having built his first Rammed Earth house in Darwin in 1976.
Ramtec offers full design, approvals, consulting and construction services in the field of rammed earth both in Australia and overseas.
Stephen answers for EBAA most incoming inquiries seeking assistance in all forms of Earth Building.
Jo Spangaro
Professor
Stephen was present at the very first meetings when EBAA was established. He was a founding member and has been a committee member continuously from the very beginning of EBAA. He has his own company Ramtec Pty Ltd which he founded in 1979, having built his first Rammed Earth house in Darwin in 1976.
Ramtec offers full design, approvals, consulting and construction services in the field of rammed earth both in Australia and overseas.
Stephen answers for EBAA most incoming inquiries seeking assistance in all forms of Earth Building.
Join a network that builds the future
EBAA welcomes all: builders, designers, educators, owner-builders, students—to unite under a shared mission of earth-based construction.
Join our community of earth builders
Join as an Individual
Join as a Business Member
Become a Friend of EBAA
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