The Victorian wood and fibre sector has welcomed the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry into environmental infrastructure for Victoria’s growing population.
The committee, chaired by Sarah Connolly and Darren Cheeseman, published its recommendations last week which include considering the health, economic and social benefits of environmental infrastructure.
“While the concept of biophilic design is not new, it has long been neglected in urban planning. The benefits of incorporating natural elements in buildings – namely wood – are clear,” Deb Kerr, CEO of the Victorian Forest Products Association, said.
A report by Planet Ark on the use of wood in buildings found that: “The use of wood in the interior of a building has clear physiological and psychological benefits that mimic the effect of spending time outside in nature. The feelings of natural warmth and comfort that wood elicits in people has the effect of lowering blood pressure and heart rates, reducing stress and anxiety […].”
“Wood’s other superpower is that it is the only building material that removes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it for its entire lifecycle,” Ms Kerr said.
“And yes, all Victorian wood can be sourced responsibly – every tree harvested is certified under one or both of two global certification schemes meaning every tree harvested is replaced.
“However, the current and future demand for Victoria’s wood and wood fibre products means that the Victorian Government must also ensure that the right policy and programs settings are in place to get more trees in the ground so that every Victorian can enjoy the positive benefits of wood in their homes,” Ms Kerr said.
The report can be viewed here
