Following the lead of the Tasmanian State Government in June last year Dorset Council has become the first local council in Tasmania to adopt a Wood Encouragement Policy (WEP). A WEP generally requires responsibly sourced wood to be considered, where feasible, as the primary construction material in building and fit out projects.

As a result, there are now sixteen local councils, two local government authorities and one state (Tasmania) that have adopted a WEP in Australia.

Importantly, a WEP does not in any way mandate the use of wood in council buildings, only that wood is at least considered as a preferred choice of material for construction and fit out in public buildings.

Planet Ark has been delighted to support Dorset Council in the development of its WEP, and recognises the undoubted environmental leadership that Dorset Council has shown in doing so.

Note: the images shown is the Latrobe Regional Gallery in Morwell, Vic, completed in 2017. In response to the Latrobe City Council WEP adopted in 2014, the project made extensive use of local timber both within the interior fit-out and in selected exterior locations. More info on Wood Encouragement Policies