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Timber Benefits Should Be Acknowledged: HallThe State Government should vary its Building Code – as have New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania By Peter Hall - 31st May 2007 - Back to News The State Government should vary its Building Code – as have New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania – to better reflect the all round environmental benefits of timber as part of the new 5-star house energy rating system, according to Eastern Region MP Peter Hall.
The Nationals’ Resources spokesman questioned in Parliament why the Government had not recognised the lighter environmental footprint of timber as part of the 5-star rating system.
"Given that timber is the only renewable product used in house construction, that timber is the only building product that sequestrates carbon and that timber production has a lighter environmental footprint than the production of any other building product, why is timber - especially timber subflooring - not recognised for its broader environmental benefits when determining 5-star energy ratings?" Mr Hall asked.
He pointed out that the three other states have varied the Building Code of Australia to better reflect the broader environmental benefits of timber in their energy rating standards.
"The question is, will the Victorian government do likewise or is it too stuck in its anti-timber production lobby to recognise what other Labour Governments already have?" Mr Hall asked.
"The Nationals welcome the introduction of energy efficient ratings for homes and other buildings, but there is absolutely no reason why timber should not be recognised for the benefits it can bring, not just to the building itself, but also the broader environmental benefits from timber use."
Mr Hall added that consideration of total life-cycle energy impact would encourage more use of the renewable resource and provide a fillip to the timber industry in Gippsland and Victoria.
Mr Hall raised the matter directly with the Planning Minister during question time in Parliament and is urging the Government to reconsider its 5-star schemes to give timber more prominence.
"With some much building going on in the state, it would be sensible to encourage use of a material that is renewable and has less of an environmental footprint than the production of any other building product – that is, timber."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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