This is a commentary on AS 1170.2-1989, prepared and published by the Australian Wind Engineering Society. In it the authors, who are specialist wind engineers, provide detailed background information on the provisions of AS 1170.2-1989. From their extensive experience, they point out the advantages and limitations of each section of the Standard, and indicate which section is more appropriate for given circumstances. They also provide more extensive worked examples, and discuss probable future directions in wind code development.