Last year, Quanda - a community located between Coonabarabran and Coonamble - contained Hudson Pear. Now, the task lies in eradicating the invasive weed completely. 

The Western Plains relies on funding to stop the spread and slow the damage of Hudson Pear, a cactus that has become renowned for killing animals and spiking through shoes and tyres. 

The Central West Hudson Pear Taskforce converged on the Quanda Crown reserve to spray the weeds, with 30 people involved to treat about 15,000 plants across a 28-hectare area. 

Red dye mixed with 250 litres of herbicide was dispersed amongst the plants.

The large number of plants were largely new generations of the pear needing eliminating, after previous operations killed larger weeds on the reserve. 

Crown Lands Executive Director of Land and Asset Management Greg Sullivan said that the mission made Quanda one step closer to eradication. 

"Crown land reserves are used for grazing, recreation and environmental protection of native plants and animals so their management is essential for the well-being of communities," Mr Sullivan said.  

"Hudson pear can destroy grazing land and prevent outdoor recreation including camping and bushwalking.”

While the Hudson Pear infestation likely came from where it was first detected in Lightning Ridge in the 1960s - who are still suffering from the problem - eliminating the weed from Quanda Reserve is crucial to keeping it from spreading to neighbouring farms and the Warrumbungle National Park. 

“The spines can pierce boots and tyres and can inflict injuries to people, livestock, horses and dogs, and have been known to kill koalas and birds," Mr Sullivan said. 

Hudson Pear is estimated to have already infested 60,000 to 100,000 hectares within NSW. 

The eradication of Hudson Pear is a priority for the Central West Regional Weed Management Plan, alongside Mesquite, Carrion and Star flower, Burr ragweed, Fireweed ad Harrisia cactus.