Timber-use survey

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32589, 24 April 1971, Page 9

Timber-use survey

The Now Zealand Forest Service has begun a national survey to measure, the present use of sawn timber and wood-based panel products in New Zealand. The survey will sample the use of timber in residential and commercial buildings in the South Island from this month until March, 1972. The sample will be taken in the North Island from April, 1972, to March 1973. The survey will enable the Forest Sendee to keep in touch with the pattern of wood use in the building industry. It will assist forest management in long-term planning and help the woodproducing industries to meet the present consumer demand wherever wood is being used or could be used. The method of assessing the usage pattern is based on the sampling of building permits issued. A Forest Service officer will visit a sample building, complete a questionaire on the usage pattern and, where possible, gain information on quantities. Permit-issuing authorities in the South Island have already been approached for copies of their pemiit issues this year. In a pilot survey in Christchurch, the Forest Service found that building inspec-

tore were able to supply very useful information on local usage. The service wants to contact building inspectors in each area of the South Island as the survey progresses.

The results of the survey will be published nationally and also by regions. The survey will be repeated at fiveyearly intervals to assess trends in the use of wood and wood-based products.