Introducing the Australian Sandalwood Network Inc

Due to increasing interest by wheatbelt landowners in the developing sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) plantation industry, a need for grower coordination and increased access to information on all aspects of this industry, a sandalwood growers group was formed in 2003, known as the Avon Sandalwood Network Inc. In January 2007, the name of the association was changed to the Australian Sandalwood Network, a grower driven group whose momentum has grown rapidly  since then .

Key facts-

• The ASN Inc currently has over 60 members, the majority of whom are primary producers and sandalwood growers from the WA wheatbelt. However, members also include industry, natural resource management and research representatives.
• Over 13,000 hectares of sandalwood plantations have currently been established in the WA wheatbelt, and  each year  will see continued growth of sandalwood plantations, in the WA wheatbelt.
• Plantations established to date are expected to begin producing large volumes of sandalwood nuts  from  2010, in excess of 200 tonnes per annum.
• Already the sandalwood industry is significantly contributing towards employment in the wheatbelt, with many  millions of sandalwood host seedlings currently being grown by regional nurseries.
• Australian Sandalwood Santalum spicatum  is a native parasitic plant, and plantations comprise a minimum of two deep rooted, perennial native species, and mixtures of native species, providing strong benefits to salinity problems, water quality, biodiversity and many other NRM issues in the wheatbelt.

History of the Australian Sandalwood Network Inc
The ASN is a relatively new group with strong momentum. In a period of 3 years from an initial funding injection of $5,000 in 2003, the ASN has grown   with members  now all over  the wheatbelt, northern ag region and the  great southern.  The ASN has  held  workshops and field days  in all these regions in the last 8  years  which  have been attended by over 500 people, produced and distributed 11 industry newsletters to over 1,000 people and vastly increased the coordination of this developing industry and enhanced grower cooperation and networking.
In January 2007, the name of the association was changed from the Avon Sandalwood Network to the Australian Sandalwood Network as a means of extending our association membership base and providing strong industry development and grower representation for the exciting emerging industry.

Way forward
The ASN is now addressing key industry development issues, through research, grower and industry support and partnership development. The ASN has completed a comprehensive business plan to drive the network and industry forward.
In 2007 the ASN will be developed an extensive industry development plan for the sandalwood plantation industry in Western Australia, in partnership with key industry groups.
The ASN  has  a peer mentoring advisory service, to support growers in establishing and maintaining their sandalwood projects. This service will be available for existing and new members of the ASN.

Membership benefits:
Membership of the ASN per financial year  is $60  for an associate member ( this membership  is for those interested in sandalwood or who are only growing  a small  area)

Grower1 membership is $110  (0.5- 10ha ) 

Grower 2 membership is $165 ( > 10ha ) 

 There are  also  reductions for joint membership
Members of the ASN receive the following services:

• Notification of events, workshops and field days
• Discounted or free attendance at industry field days and workshops
• Industry newsletters
• Email network
• Grower networking
• Discounted business advertising
• Assistance with seed sales and purchasing

Wheatbelt NRM has funded the Australian Sandalwood Network to produce a DVD about Sandalwood .

The DVD describes the history , how sandalwood can be used to address land degradation issues and the markets for the product. Farmers talk about how they have used sandalwood to add diversity to their farms in areas which are not productive for annual crops

The DVD was produced by Inshot productions . To view please click on the link Sandalwood, The Golden Harvest