Douglas fir campaign gains support

A Nelson man behind moves to save douglas fir as a building timber has secured local government support.

Waimea Sawmillers general manager Scott Gibbons said a Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) South Island meeting has voted to back the douglas fir industry.

Mr Gibbons began campaigning when changes made to the building code last month restricted the use of untreated douglas fir timber to single-storey brick veneer houses.

The industry was working to get the Building Industry Authority to accept the use of untreated timber as an "acceptable solution" and Mr Gibbons said he felt much more confident now it had the backing of LGNZ.