The WA Sandalwood Taskforce has provided eight recommendations to Government that will support the growth of economic opportunities for Aboriginal people. The recommendations address key issues such as barriers to participation, resource inventory, capacity building and quota allocation. Source: Timberbiz
The State Government released the WA Sandalwood Taskforce report for a four-week public consultation period.
The Taskforce was established by the McGowan Government in late 2019 to explore opportunities for Aboriginal economic development in the WA sandalwood industry.
It included representatives from a number of State Government agencies and from Aboriginal groups and businesses with an interest in the wild sandalwood industry.
For some Aboriginal communities, and in particular those from the Central Deserts region, the local economic and social situation is dire. The desert sandalwood industry founders and Aboriginal leaders and Elders are calling for an industry overhaul and a bold set of clear recommendations around access to, and sustainable harvesting and management of, the wild sandalwood resource said the report.
“WA has one of the world’s largest wild resources of sandalwood which is highly sought after for the oils contained in the heartwood,” WA forestry Minister Dave Kelly said.
“A significant portion of the State’s wild sandalwood resources are found on land that falls under native title.
“We are committed to implementing actions that will support Aboriginal economic development and greater Aboriginal involvement in the native sandalwood industry.
“The report provides recommendations to drive Aboriginal involvement in the industry without impacting the long-term sustainability of this outstanding natural resource.
“I encourage anyone with an interest in the sandalwood industry to provide comment during the four-week consultation period.”
The report can be found, and public comment can be made by visiting https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/sandalwood-taskforce-report
Send all comments on the report to [email protected]
Submissions close COB Friday 4 December 2020.
The report can be downloaded at:
https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-10/Final%20Sandalwood%20Taskforce%20Report.pdf
