Sandalwood industry left in limbo as WA government mulls new rules
Producers say Western Australia's lucrative sandalwood industry faces an uncertain future, as the state government reviews the regulations governing the harvest of the valuable wood.
The Western Australian government is set to renew the Sandalwood Order, which regulates the $40 million native industry, but the lack of clear communication about impending changes has left sandalwood producers in a state of uncertainty. Currently, 2,500 tonnes of wild sandalwood can be harvested annually, but the new order, set to begin on January 1, aims to reduce this amount by 500 tonnes.
Producers are concerned about the shift in oversight from the Forest Products Commission to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, which governs national parks and conservation. Harvester Michael Matthiessen emphasized the risk of the industry if the transition is not managed properly, as harvesters need to plan years in advance due to the slow growth of sandalwood trees.
Exporters, such as Wescorp Sandalwood, also expressed their concerns about the lack of clarity on the future of the industry. The government has acknowledged their worries and stated that they are consulting widely and working with the Forest Products Commission to ensure the best settings for the industry.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
