MEDIA RELEASE
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes the announcement of changes to Australia’s National Construction Code (NCC), which will now allow timber construction solutions in buildings up to eight storeys high.
The NCC changes were spearheaded by Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA), and will be introduced formally on 1 May 2016.
AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ross Hampton said, “This is a very important announcement for the forest products industry. Allowing mid-rise timber buildings will mean apartment and commercial buildings can now be not only more affordable, but much more environmentally friendly.”
“Using timber instead of conventional building materials can reduce construction costs by up to 25%,” said Mr Hampton, “And not only does manufacturing timber building materials create fewer carbon emissions than other alternatives, such as concrete and steel, but timber also stores carbon, drastically reducing the environmental impact of the built environment.”
“FWPA is to be congratulated for championing these changes to the National Construction Code. The sustainability and renewability of timber products can now be further utilised and create a real difference in making our cities and urban environments truly green.”