Green Star Rating
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Energy and Resources
"David Llewellyn, Minister for Energy and Resources, has welcomed the Green Building Council’s announcement that it would officially recognise the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS). The 1.5 million hectares of state forest managed by Forestry Tasmania are certified under the AFS.
“Tasmania has been at the forefront of progressing national recognition of the AFS as an Australian Standard,” Mr Llewellyn said. “All states have agreed to follow Tasmania’s lead."
The AFS is internationally endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC). This means that it has been developed in conformity with Australia’s standard setting procedures and approved by the National Standards Office, as well as meeting the over 200 criteria established by the PEFC. The decision is a vote of confidence in the sustainability of Australia’s managed forests, including Tasmania’s state forests.The Green Building Council’s guidelines have been widely adopted in procurement policies across Australia. This recognition is therefore a significant boost to Tasmanian forest industries. Ninety percent of Australia’s production forests are certified under the AFS. However, until now, little if any Australian hardwood was eligible to meet the Green Building Council’s standards."