WPA welcomes government timber treatment proposal

Media Release – WPA

The WPA welcomes government’s timber treatment proposal

6 September 2010

The Wood Processors Association of New Zealand (WPA) and the Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association (FTMA) welcome the proposed changes to the rules for the use of treated timber in houses announced by the Minister of Building and Construction Maurice Williamson, today.

“We congratulate the Minister and his staff on the proposed amendments, which are part of the program underway to significantly improve the experience of New Zealanders building timber-framed houses”, says WPA CEO, Jon Tanner.

“The leaky homes crisis has raised questions in consumers’ minds and we’ve recognised that changes are needed to restore confidence in the use of timber framing. This is the first in a series of initiatives that improves the industry-wide processes for delivering fit-for-purpose timber”.

“At the WPA and FTMA we are delighted that the Minister and the Department of Building and Housing have been so proactive in working with the industry and expert advisors to simplify the timber treatment rules whilst maintaining appropriate protection for homeowners”, he says.

“We are confident that together with improvements made to design and building practices since 2005, we are heading in the right direction”.

Dr Tanner added that New Zealand structural timber is a renewable resource grown in sustainably-managed forests providing many jobs in regional communities across the entire country. “Building in timber is in the DNA of all New Zealanders. This proposal is about making it easier to do and improving consumer confidence”.

The forestry and wood processing industry accounts for 3% of GDP and is New Zealand’s third largest export earner. WPA member companies manufacture over 80% of New Zealand’s wood products and FTMA member companies manufacture over 70% of the prefabricated framing used in residential construction. WPA provides a single voice to represent the collective interests of these companies.

ENDS

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