Politics · Australia · 4 hrs ago
WA sandalwood producers seek clarity as new rules are considered
Western Australia's sandalwood industry faces uncertainty as the state considers new rules for harvesting and managing the wood.
The current order allows 2,500 tonnes of wild sandalwood to be harvested each year, but it is due to expire at the end of 2026.
The government plans to move oversight from the Forest Products Commission to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, which manages parks and conservation areas.
Harvesters and exporters say they have not been told clearly how the change will work, leaving them unsure whether to invest or plan for alternatives.
Sandalwood trees can take more than 20 years to mature, so uncertainty makes it difficult for contractors to plan and could put industry skills and investment at risk.
Sandalwood is used in products such as perfume, cosmetics and incense, and exporters say uncertainty could also affect international customers.
Premier Roger Cook says the government is consulting and working through the process; the current order and some industry contracts are due to end in December.
Western Australian sandalwood producers say uncertainty over proposed rule changes and a shift in oversight is leaving the industry in limbo.
The current order allows 2,500 tonnes of wild sandalwood to be harvested annually and is due to expire at the end of 2026.
The government plans to move management from the Forest Products Commission to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Harvesters and exporters say they have not been given enough information to plan investments and operations.
Premier Roger Cook said the government was consulting widely and carefully reviewing the arrangements.
- Who
- Sandalwood producers, harvesters and exporters in Western Australia, and the WA government.
- What
- Producers are seeking clarity on new rules and a proposed shift in oversight to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- When
- The current Sandalwood order is due to expire at the end of 2026.
- Where
- Western Australia, including the Eastern Goldfields and Wheatbelt.
- Why
- Producers say they need clarity to plan harvesting, investment and the transition to new management arrangements.
Sandalwood industry
WA government
Communication
Sandalwood industry
Producers say there is no clarity about what will replace the current order or how the transition will work.
WA government
Premier Roger Cook says the government is consulting widely and carefully reviewing the arrangements.
Oversight transition
Sandalwood industry
Harvesters and exporters say the shift to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has not been fully explained.
WA government
The government says it is working through the process and reviewing the best settings.
The current Sandalwood order came into place, allowing 2,500 tonnes of wild sandalwood to be harvested annually.
The current Sandalwood order is due to expire.
- Annual wild harvest limit
- 2,500 tonnes
- Current order began
- 2015
- Order expiry
- End of 2026
- Proposed new oversight body
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- Sandalwood open-market price
- Up to $25,000 a tonne
What people are saying
I definitely think there's a risk to the industry if the transition isn't managed properly
FPC contracts are coming up to finish at the end of December, and none of us knows what's happening beyond that
There's really no clarity at all and no formal announcement for any of us
We're consulting widely and doing some work inside the FPC at the moment just to make sure we've got the best settings