Boris Iskrax
Government and public building authorities are placing greater emphasis on Australian standards in their regulations to ensure the sustainability, environmental security and legality of products used in the housing and construction industries. Source: Timberbiz
“In the world of building and construction, standards help to classify best practices, methods and technical requirements for a safe and sustainable built environment,” Simon Dorries, CEO of Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) said.
AFS is organising a sustainable timber in building seminar at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne on November 24.
The seminar, designed for architects, specifiers and building design professionals, will focus on subjects ranging from timber as an environmentally positive material, green star programs and new and innovative wood products to sustainable forest management, environmental product declaration and issues such as finishing, staining and product stability.
Tony Arnel, global director of sustainability with Norman Disney & Young and a former chair of the World Green Building Council, will be a keynote speaker.
Mr Arnel was founding director of the Green Building Council of Australia and is a life fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.
The seminar will update industry on AFS chain-of-custody standards that track certified material from the forest to the final product.
“Chain of custody is especially suited to projects such as new-build commercial and office buildings, private and social housing projects, renovation and refurbishment schemes, and civil engineering projects,” Mr Dorries said.
“The simple act of sourcing or purchasing an Australian-branded product can have far-reaching positive implications, not least in terms of sustainable consumption.”
David Rowlinson
Seminar speakers include David Rowlinson, manager of Plant Ark’s Make it Wood and Make it Recycled Campaigns; Steve Mitchell, principal, SM Associates; Dr Alastair Woodard, structural engineer and director of TPC Solutions (Aust) Pty Ltd; Boris Iskara, national codes and standards manager, Forest and Wood Products Australia; and Simon Dorries, CEO, AFS Ltd.
Alastair Woodard
For seminar registration information contact AFS on 61 7 3359 1758 or email [email protected] or visit www.forestrystandard.org.au
