This policy aims to encourage the use of timber as Council’s preferred material for the construction and fit out of Council buildings and infrastructure, wherever possible and appropriate. Its purpose is to ensure that the use of timber is considered at the initial stages of a project, specifically when the brief for a project is being developed.
Certified timber from responsibly managed plantations helps to address climate change as it stores carbon and replaces more carbon intensive materials such as steel and concrete.
Baw Baw Shire Council recognises the importance of the timber manufacturing and forestry products industries to our local community and the wider Gippsland region. Central to Council’s commitment to job retention and creation, is supporting significant local industry in order to secure jobs and leverage further investment in the timber industry. Council will work in partnership with business, industry and government to create sustainable economic development within the Baw Baw Shire municipality.
The objectives of this policy are to:
- stimulate sustainable economic development within the Gippsland timber and timber products industry and encourage value adding products within the timber industry;
- encourage the use of timber in the construction and fit out of Council buildings and infrastructure;
- recognise the benefits of timber that make wood a sound choice for Council buildings and infrastructure;
- share information and encourage education regarding the benefits of using timber in construction and fit out of buildings and infrastructure;
- demonstrate local and national leadership by enacting this Timber Encouragement Policy in respect of Council buildings and infrastructure;
- encourage the use of timber in demonstration projects across the municipality;
- align with opportunities for State and Federal funding;
- reinforce Council’s preference for quality timber buildings in the development of briefs for projects; and
- promote the industry as a renewable resource, capturing the environmental benefits of the resource.
Council will encourage the increased utilisation of timber, including recycled timber, in Council assets and projects by:
- Ensuring that all briefs for new Council projects incorporate the requirement to use timber as a preferred material for both construction and fit out purposes, where timber is deemed a suitable material for the proposed application.
- When sourcing design and architectural expertise, seeking out practitioners who can identify practical, efficient, versatile and cost-effective building and design solutions using timber.
- Ensuring that all comparisons to the cost of building with other materials considers the long-term and life cycle benefits of using timber.
- Where possible, sourcing locally produced timber products for construction and fit out purposes, and avoid the use of timber products sourced from overseas and/or from non-sustainable sources.
- Being a champion of the forestry and timber products industry, by establishing this policy and demonstrating commitment to the further development of the local forestry and timber products industry.
- Actively seeking demonstration projects that showcase the use of timber within the municipality.
- Actively working to attract new, innovative timber products manufacturers to Baw Baw Shire.
In using timber as a preferred construction material for Council buildings and infrastructure, Council will have regard to following, in conjunction with the accompanying Timber Encouragement Guidelines to ensure the appropriate use of timber.
- The utilisation of timber products that meet the Australian Forest Standard, Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification and/or Forest Stewardship Council certifications;
- The utilisation of recycled and reused timber products that are considered suitable for use in Council buildings, facilities and infrastructure;
- Maintenance required throughout the life of the project;
- Pest and fungus protection; and
- Using timber only when it is the right material for the selected application.
This policy will be reviewed every four (4) years.