7 November 2009
DAFF09/349B

State, territory and federal governments yesterday called on the Green Building Council of

Australia to recognise sustainable forestry practices in the domestic industry.

The issue was discussed during yesterday’s Primary Industries Ministerial Council in Perth.

It has been a headline issue at both the recent Forest and Wood Products Council meeting and the Forest Industry Leaders Ministerial Roundtable.

The Green Building Council of Australia oversees the green building credit rating system – a voluntary system which rates the environmental design and construction of buildings.

It currently recognises well-managed plantations, but not well-managed native regrowth forests.

This means it has accredited an international forestry certification scheme, but to-date the Australian Forestry Certification Scheme has not been accredited.

Ministers agreed the Australian Forestry Certification Scheme recognises good sustainable forestry practices and should therefore be recognised by the Green Building Council of Australia.

They supported a Victorian Government proposal to require government-endorsed procurement and sustainability guidelines to give equal recognition to credible forestry certification schemes.

Ministers have been asked to report back in six months’ time on their respective governments’ procurement guidelines and whether they recognise Australian sustainable forestry practices.