A NEW $2.6 million program was announced in Lightning Ridge on Monday 12 December towards getting on top of rapidly- growing infestations of Hudson Pear within the region. 

The Hudson Pear is a major invasive plant that is green in colour and filled with hundreds, if not thousands of long spines. Its prickles can cause serious damage, harming native plants and animals, while its spikes can pierce footwear and tyres. 

Hudson Pear was first located in Lightning Ridge in the late 1960's.

It is believed to have been spread from a cactus nursery at Grawin, with some reports that its rapid spread was aided by opal miners who deliberately used the plants to protect their diggings from nocturnal thieves. The weed has since been located in Coonamble, Walgett, Grawin, Cumborah, Glengarry and parts of South and Western Australia. 

Record rainfalls and flooding, on the back of a prolonged period of drought, has created a perfect storm for the pest plant.

“This investment will allow us to get boots on the ground and surround these thorny pest plant populations with a targeted hit of spray to pause further spread,” said Minister for Agriculture, Dugald Saunders.       

“We’ll also target current infestations within the containment line by hitting Hudson Pear with cochineal insects rolled out from our purpose-built Lightning Ridge mass-rearing facility, which are proven winners at bringing down this nasty cactus.” 

Manager for Land Services at North West Local Land Services Matthew Davidson says the new funds will be used for existing and new outbreaks of the weed irrespective of local government area.

"Current funding was due to cease in June 2023. The new injection of funds will continue the important work of the Cacti Coordinator to assist the community in containing the spread of Hudson Pear to June 2027, allowing additional time for the biological control agent to develop and impact the Hudson Pear population," he said. 

Walgett Shire Mayor Jane Keir, Annette Turner candidate for Barwon, Dugald Saunders MP, Gerard Glover and David Sullivan Reserve Manger for Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve (LRAOR) 

Castlereagh Macquarie County Council Senior Biosecurity Officer Andrea Fletcher-Dawson says Hudson Pear poses a huge threat to many land owners within the Coonamble and surrounding shire regions. 

"Hudson Pear is currently #6 on the Regional Priority Weed Category, which classifies it as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts," Ms Fletcher-Dawson said. 

"Within Coonamble Shire, Hudson Pear has been identified at Quanda Five Ways located 55km from Coonamble on the Tooraweenah and Mungery Road. It is classified as a crown land site, meaning it is fenced off and bio-security checks and practices are completed all throughout the year," she said. 

One of the many 'Stop the spread of Hudson Pear' signs located along the Quanda and Goorianawa Road area.

"Hudson Pear has also been located down Hollywood Lane, 67km from Coonamble and 50km from Pilliga on the Bungle Gully Reserve.

“It was found on a TSR (travelling stock reserve) managed by the Local Land Services and Castlereagh Macquarie County Council. We have removed the weeds by hand and chemically sprayed the infestation.

"Numerous Hudson Pear plants were scattered around the area, reaching about 5cm high. 

“It was very bizarre as no larger plants were located, however a lot of stock moves around that area which explains the scattered spread. We are still closely monitoring the area," she said. 

The biological lineage for Hudson Pear is a cochineal bug called Californica var. Parkeri which is originally from Mexico and is the pear's natural predator. 

"Unfortunately, with the recent ongoing rainfall within the area, the breeding process for the bug has slowed significantly,” Ms Fletcher-Dawson said.

“We are constantly mass rearing the cochineal bugs so when it starts to dry up we can re-release them and get bio-controls back on track.”

Chemical and physical controls are also used.

"The Hudson Pear is one of the largest and heavy core infestations within New South Wales. We do not think we can fully eradicate it, however we are trying to keep the core infestation and everything surrounding it clear or infestation," Ms Fletcher-Dawson said. 

"It is not one person's problem. Communities must remember to come clean and go clean. 

“Always check your tyres and if you have located Hudson Pear report it to your local weeds officer," she said.