Timber Queensland has applauded the adoption by the Gympie Regional Council of a Wood Encouragement Policy (WEP), which will help drive the greater use of timber in local building and construction. Source: Timberbiz
This news followed hot on the heels of the announcement by Fraser Coast Council that it would adopt a WEP.
Timber Queensland’s CEO Mick Stephens said the Council’s WEP would require timber to be considered as its preferred construction material in all new-build and refurbishment projects when it is equally fit-for-purpose.
The Council has adopted this policy at its first meeting in 2017.
“The Gympie Council and the Mayor, Councillor Mick Curran, are to be congratulated on their leadership with the introduction of this policy. Not only will it support the forest and timber industry, it will generate significant environmental and carbon benefits for the region,” Mr Stephens said.
Timber Queensland has been working in conjunction with Planet Ark Environmental Foundation to promote greater awareness of using timber for sustainable building outcomes.
“Timber is a renewable, recyclable material that has low carbon emissions compared to other building materials, such as steel and concrete. This means it can help deliver on the sustainability goals of Council by reducing greenhouse emissions from the building sector,” Mr Stephens said.
“The Gympie region has a long and proud history with the timber industry. Today, more than 570 people are directly employed in the local timber industry, representing nearly 4% of total employment in the region.
“Timber businesses include timber plantation and native forest managers, harvest and haulage contractors, sawmills, engineered panel plants, fabricators, wholesalers and traders,” he said.
“Importantly, this policy can promote a greater awareness amongst building tenderers of theversatility and innovation of using timber in Council projects as diverse as schools and libraries, playgrounds, wharves and bridges, housing, apartments and offices.
“We are delighted that within the space of two weeks, the Fraser Coast and now Gympie are the first two pioneering Councils in Queensland to pursue a wood encouragement policy.
“We hope the State Government will similarly follow suit into the future, given the significant potential of this innovative new policy to realise State-wide regional development, jobs and environmental benefits from the greater use of timber.”
