The project run by Hastings Landcare took a landscape approach to control the high priority weed Cockspur Coral Tree.

Work was carried out by a local contractor with the project is funded by North Coast Local Land Services and the Department of Primary Industries Weeds Action Program. It was also supported by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and the North Coast Regional Landcare Network.

The willingness of landholders to be involved was a crucial factor in this projects success.

"We had a very diverse group of landholder from third generation farmers, a large company, Crown Lands, council-managed land, new landholders and hobby farmers. When everyone gets involved we can stop the spread of Cockspur Coral Trees in their tracks," Hastings Landcare coordinator Steve Allwood said.

Participating landholder Ray Ward said proactive action and seed control was a priority.

"Seeds can no longer spread to other people's properties and liaison with Hastings Landcare and council was fantastic," he said.

Like weeds, a community-based, landscape approach to weed control is not limited by property boundaries.

Cockspur Coral Trees have hook like spikes, they choke out wetlands and waterways and they spread easily.

In the Hastings region, the species is placed in an Exclusion Zone and should be eradicated.

"There are not that many Cockspur Coral Trees in the Hastings so now is our chance to act and stop the spread early, we don't want to give this weed a chance to take over our waterways," council's biosecurity officer Matt Bell said.

If you think you have Cockspur Coral Trees on your property, call Hastings Landcare on 0467 864 465 or council's biosecurity officer on 0407 279 465.

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