17 November 2020
Media: Timber & Forestry e-news
Topic: Wood First policy
Enquiry
I am writing a story about the implementation of a wood first or wood preference policy at a national and local government level in New Zealand. I would be grateful if you could answer some questions on the topic, especially as it relates to Rotorua Lakes Council and the introduction and effectiveness of the policy.
First of all, do you have any figures regarding the forestry industry's contribution to the local economy (employment, percentage of national wood production harvested locally, percentage of local GDP, etc.).
What is the council's formally stated policy regarding wood first'?
Do you have any examples (in the last few years) of wood procured for various council projects? (In a previous article on the subject for T&F e news in May 2016, I wrote about the council's Inner City Revitalisation Project and the ACC offices in the city.)
Are you aware of any other councils considering the implementation of a wood first policy? And has your council been approached by other councils for advice on the subject?
I note that at the ForestWood 2018 Conference, Mayor Steve Chadwick encouraged central government to adjust legislation to make it easier to use wood in buildings - for example using more cross-laminated timber in construction if building rules were updated. In this regard, does the council detect any progress in government policy?
If possible, it would be great if you could also provide me with a few high-resolution images of council projects that showcase the use of wood in construction.
The Government has introduced a policy to adopt and accelerate the procurement of low carbon construction materials - especially home-grown wood - for new public builds. This will presumably be good for the Rotorua region's wood processors like Red Stag Group. What is the council's reaction to the Government's new procurement policy?
And what benefits does the council see for the region as a result of the policy's implementation?
What changes, if any, might the council implement to its wood first policy - in the wake of the Government's new policy?
Response
The following information and comment was provided:
Re forestry industry's contribution to the local economy:
You'll find information about forestry HERE on the www.rotoruanz.com website
This is the official website of our Rotorua Economic Development CCO and they may be able to provide more insight/comment about forestry in general
Re Council's stated policy:
You'll find the Wood First Policy HERE on Council's website.
PLEASE NOTE: Grow Rotorua which was council's economic development CCO, no longer exists. That role now sits with the Rotorua Economic Development Ltd CCO which has been re-purposed and renamed in the legal sense but still operates as Destination Rotorua. It was previously focussed on destination marketing as the regional tourism organisation for the district but its role now also encompasses economic development and it works closely with the Council, particularly at this time as we work towards economic recovery.
Council projects where wood will be prominent:
- Use of wood will feature in the new forest visitor information centre that will be part of wider forest developments that are underway. Wood accents feature in the recently completed new ablution facilities located at the newly opened forest access hub which is also part of the wider forest developments.
- Wood features strongly in the refurbishment of the Council building (Civic Centre) including wooden feature panels in work areas and meeting rooms, in the customer centre, bilingual signage and the entrance to the Council Chamber.
- Wood will also feature in our lakefront redevelopment including in landscaping, bridges and the boardwalk. (see HERE for more about lakefront redevelopments).
- Council's Farmer's Market which is held on Sundays features wooden carts made especially for the market. Non-council projects that are pending and will prominently feature wood include:
- New Scion building (see HERE for more about this)
- Spa hotel development at the lakefront (see HERE for more about this. They produced a cool video when they announced the development and the concept design - you can view the video HERE if you're interested)
- QE build at the lakefront (see HERE for more about this - the exterior faade of the building is to be in wood and they may be able to tell you re interior)
- New forestry hub to be built for Te Uru Rākau which is based in Rotorua (see more about this HERE)Re potential changes to RLC wood first policy in the wake of the Government's new policy:The policy will be reviewed in the near future and this will provide an opportunity to consider and potentially reflect Central Government's new direction in our policy. Council is working closely with the wood sector which is keen to see the 'wood first' approach further strengthened, both locally and nationally.NOTE TO REPORTER: It may be worth speaking to Red Stag regarding their views. This is a news article (HERE) about the new cross-laminated timber plant Red Stag is building - it is under construction now I think so they may have some photos they could provide and they could talk about their long-term plans/vision for use of timber in construction. Red Stag has continued to invest in its operations over the years and to showcase the potential of timber as a material for large-scale construction, and is investing $35m in a cross-laminated timber plant to produce laminated panels. Also, the Chair of our Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, Bryce Heard, has been involved in advocating for a national Wood First policy and would be able to speak about that and about the local sector's views, or refer you to someone who can.Comments from Mayor Steve Chadwick:Re importance of Wood First policy:Rotorua is at the heart of forestry in New Zealand and we want to support this key local sector by being strong advocates for 'wood first'.Wood, forestry and biotech have been identified as key sectors for economic transformation in work that is underway to finalise a Rotorua economic development strategy.We want wood to be a building material of choice wherever that is possible - both for Council projects and for others who are undertaking construction and development in our district.We know there is potential to further develop wood processing and to create more jobs if we can reduce the reliance on international exports and in the current COVID environment, as we work with our community towards local economic recovery and a strong future, diversification becomes even more important.It's also important to us that the character of our place reflects our history and culture and part of that is recognising the importance of forestry to our local economy and our Wood First policy is one way to do that.Re Government's new policy: Anything that encourages greater use of sustainable, home-grown wood is great and I'm pleased to now see Central Government moving in this direction but there's more to be done, both locally and nationally, to promote wood as sustainable and cost-effective.Forestry is a key economic sector for Rotorua and it would be our hope that a national policy would boost opportunities in terms of wood supply, wood processing and diversification, all of which would, in turn, create more jobs.