Latrobe City Council’s Australian-first advocacy of a value-added wood industry received national recognition in Canberra last fortnight.
Council’s Wood Encouragement Policy aims to boost sustainable timber use across a range of existing and emerging industries, and promote quality wood buildings in the development of briefs for projects.
The policy received a special mention at the ForestWorks Industry Development Conference dinner.
“(The policy) was highlighted as a first in Australia and it is pleasing to know that we have set the standard for other authorities to be encouraged to develop their own policies,” Latrobe City mayor Dale Harriman said.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester commended council’s commitment to promoting the forestry products industry to the wider Gippsland region.
“(Council) should be commended for being a leader in encouraging other governments to look at timber as a sustainable choice of building material,” Mr Chester said.
At the conference Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he would like the public to see the timber products industry as a “sunrise industry, not a sunset industry”.
