7 Aug 2014

Timber sector calls for wood-use policy

7:00 am on 7 August 2014

The wood processing industry has identified large economic gains which it says would stem from the Government adopting a wood-use policy.

Technology is making wood ever more versatile - far beyond mere wooden bikes.

Technology is making wood ever more versatile - far beyond mere wooden bikes. Photo: AFP

The Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association has been asking the Government, as the country's largest building procurer, to push for the greater use of wood in public sector construction.

The association's spokesman, Marty Verry of Red Stag Timber in Rotorua, said a survey of its members indicates that a government wood-use initiative would stimulate more than a billion dollars of fresh investment in regional manufacturing.

"A lot of it would go into residue processing through the pulp and paper operations as well as saw mills, value added investments into the types of products that go into these mass wood buildings that are now technically feasible and cost effective, as we've found out in Chrischurch in the past few years .

"So, things like cross-laminated timber, as well as saw mills and services associated with those types of buildings."

Mr Verry said other gains would be lower housing costs and increased exports of higher value wood products.